Oil supplies from Russia to Pakistan possible after logistical, financial issues resolved - Energy Minister Shulginov

MOSCOW. Jan 18 (Interfax) - Oil deliveries from Russia to Pakistan can be arranged after logistical and financial issues are resolved, Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said.

"The issue of purchasing oil is a market-based and commercial one. As a matter of fact, so is the level of discounts. In order to be able to fully establish trade of Russian oil, it is necessary to resolve a number of logistical and financial issues. Our specialists are currently working on this so that everything would be mutually beneficial," Shulginov said in an interview with Pakistan's The Nation newspaper.

The negotiation process on oil supplies has not been completed, so it is premature to talk about any agreements, even preliminary ones, he said.

Asked whether Russia would accept Pakistan's request to be able to buy oil from Russia at the same prices as India pays, Shulginov said: "We work in the market, therefore, after solving technical issues, we see no problems for Pakistani companies to purchase oil on the same terms as other partners."

"We are giving preferences to settlements in national currencies or in currencies of third countries protected from sanctions risks. I am sure that with the development of our bilateral trade, solutions to this issue will also be found," he said.