Russian Finance Ministry ready to discuss adjusting mechanism for import fuel damper regarding domestic transportation costs

MOSCOW. Sept 21 (Interfax) - The Russian Finance Ministry is prepared to discuss adjusting the mechanism for the import fuel damper regarding domestic transportation costs, though the ministry will not support a proposal to factor in a premium paid in the markets where the fuel is purchased, Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov told reporters.

"Regarding the domestic fuel market, not at the moment. There are proposals from the Energy Ministry concerning the import damper that we are currently reviewing. These will be discussed within the government," Sazanov said in response to whether adjustments to the fuel damper were planned.

Sazanov said that one of the Energy Ministry's proposals concerns adjusting the import damper to account for domestic transportation costs.

Sazanov also mentioned a proposal to account for the premium that arises in markets where imported gasoline and diesel fuel are purchased.

"We are ready right now to discuss accounting for domestic transportation costs, for instance, from ports to a destination in Central Russia. The government will discuss the matter, and decisions will be reached based on budgetary constraints. However, we are certainly not prepared to support accounting for the premium on imports, as it is impossible to determine the amount of these premiums reliably," Sazanov said.