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Russia, Belarus continue consultations on gas issue — minister

ST. PETERSBURG, June 28. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus continue consultations regarding the gas issue, Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Tuesday.

"So far they are," he said when asked whether the consultations are still underway, and added that "nothing has happened yet" concerning the country’s position.

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Earlier Gazprom Head Alexey Miller said the issue of debt for gas supplies of Gazprom Transgaz Belarus to local clients is a matter of cooperation of Belarusian companies, adding that Gazprom receives full payment for gas supplies to Belarus.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said that the reduction of oil supplies to Belarus was due to underpayment for gas supplies.

In early June, Gazprom Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev said that the debt of Belarussian consumers for Russia’s gas supplies had exceeded $200 mln.

In early May, Gazprom Transgaz Belarus filed a lawsuit to the International Arbitration Court at the BelCCI (Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) against the country’s gas providers over their debts on Russia’s gas supplies.

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