Discussion of common oil, petroleum products market in EAEU continues, current fuel situation not affecting process - Russian deputy PM
DUSHANBE. Oct 20 (Interfax) - The current fuel situation in Russia and in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as a whole is not affecting the course of the discussion on the rules for forming a common oil and petroleum products market within the union, and dialogue between the countries continues, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told journalists.
"As for the common oil and petroleum products market, negotiations are continuing here. There are positions, but these positions do not in any way affect the current situation, and the current situation also does not affect these positions," he said.
The issue of fuel supplies to Russian territory is being considered if necessary with EAEU countries, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said at the end of last week.
Among the decisions already adopted, the reduction of duties on imports of certain types of petroleum products into the EAEU to zero continues to be in effect, "so that EAEU member states can import fuel into their territory on more favorable terms," Overchuk said.
Russia remains an attractive partner for EAEU member states in terms of energy supplies, he said. "We are interested in these countries all developing and having access to the most favorable conditions for fuel. Fuel is a key component of production costs. And it is important for us that EAEU member states have this opportunity here. Although of course, the most favorable fuel supplies have always been from Russia and will be from Russia," Overchuk said.
In 2018, the EAEU countries approved a program for the formation of common oil and petroleum products markets in the EAEU. The current version of the document obliges the union's members to ensure conditions for the EAEU international treaty on creating these markets to take effect no later than January 1, 2027. This week, a draft of amendments to the program for forming the common oil and petroleum products market was posted on the website of the Eurasian Economic Commission, which shifted this deadline to January 1, 2030.
