Russia shipping oil to Pakistan without exclusive discount, with payment in currency from friendly countries - Energy Ministry

ST. PETERSBURG. June 16 (Interfax) - Russia has begun one-time oil deliveries to Pakistan with payment in the currency of friendly countries, and there is no exclusive discount.

"Yes, oil deliveries to Pakistan have begun, there is no special discount; for Pakistan it is the same as for other buyers," Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov told reporters.

"We believe that Pakistan is just as important a partner for us as India. A shipment was recently shipped, and there will be more deliveries in the future," he said.

Commenting on information from the Pakistani media that payment is in yuan, Shulginov said, "We agreed that the payment would be made in the currencies of friendly countries."

The minister also confirmed that the issue of barter supplies was also discussed, "but no decision has been made yet."

The countries did not separately agree on the supply of oil products - Pakistan has its own refineries and buys either oil or oil products, depending on its needs, Shulginov said.

He also noted that "for the export of liquefied natural gas, the countries have not yet found an understanding on prices - the discussion is about long-term contracts, but so far we are talking about spot supplies, and spot gas prices are now high."