Kyrgyz Authorities have asked Russia to lower natural gas prices due to the difficult situation in the economy which arose on the background of the spread of coronavirus. About it RIA Novosti was told in the press service of the government of the Republic.
Vice Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Erkin Brandies conducted an online meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexey A. Overchuk, which raised this question. He acknowledged that Bishkek does not expect to resolve the issue at the earliest, but hopes for a positive response.
Earlier on cheap Russian gas began in Minsk. In mid-April at a meeting of the members of the Supreme Eurasian economic Council (the Supreme supranational body of the EEU, which includes Russia), Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko complained that Russia shows no flexibility in this matter and undermines the stability of the EEU.
Brandie said that also asked to use the national package of measures for the financing of business funds from a Russian-Kyrgyz development Fund.
the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan said that Russia has promised to consider the request. Russian “Gazprom” has full control of the Kyrgyz gas operator Kyrgyzgaz, which was bought for 1 dollar in 2014.
Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the initiative Lukashenko noted that the issue is studied, it will be discussed at the expert level. About any changes in Russia’s policy in the field of gas since then is unknown.
Earlier it was reported that by the end of 2019, “Gazprom” has reduced profit by 17 percent to 1.2 trillion rubles, and revenues from sales declined 7 percent to 7.66 trillion. The reason for such dynamics become abnormally warm winter and competition from liquefied natural gas (LNG). In the first quarter of 2020, the situation has worsened — because of the epidemic of the coronavirus demand has fallen, while gas prices are at multi-year lows.
