U.S. begins delivering oil to Belarus
MINSK. May 15 (Interfax) - The United States has begun supplying oil to Belarus, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said.
"It is with satisfaction that I confirm the beginning of delivery of oil from the U.S. to Belarus. It became possible as a result of the agreements reached during the visit to the Republic of Belarus of the U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, and his meeting with the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko [on February 1, 2020]," Makei said in a statement published on the Foreign Ministry website.
The U.S. oil supplies are part of a state strategy to diversify supply and secure the steady operation of Belarusian oil refineries in 2020 and the years to come.
"We consider cooperation with the U.S. in the oil sector to be a core element of energy security of the state; to be a crucial part of trade and investment engagement being developed by the parties and possessing a significant potential; to be a factor consolidating economic sovereignty of our country," Makei said.
Belarus is cooperating with the U.S. to continue enhancing bilateral economic ties, he said.
"Opportunities in trade and capital investment created by Minsk and Washington are beneficial for American and Belarusian companies," Makei said.
"Belarus will continue to take steps in order to strengthen partnership relations with the U.S. We are confident that they contribute to a common endeavor to bridge contradictions in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian regions," he said.