MOSCOW, May 15. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has pointed out there should be no linkage between political issues and the customers’ obligation to pay for energy resources consumed.

“I would like to say a very simple idea. Supplied energy resources are to be paid for,” Medvedev told the 14th ministerial meeting of the International Energy Forum. “I do hope that all countries and all consumers, both those present at and absent from this meeting, including Ukraine, which has been mentioned (in relation with the crisis) are aware of this.”

“Generally speaking, payments should not be linked with politics in any way,” Medvedev said.

“Politicisation of the energy supply issue creates serious risks to energy security,” he said.

“Artificial diversification of energy flows may result in the disruption of traditional economic ties, huge costs and unprofitable production facilities,” Medvedev warned.

“All this may affect the development of national economies. We should keep this in mind,” the prime minister said.

Earlier he said that Russia is ready to resume the talks with Ukraine on the terms of gas supplies and the price of gas after Kiev has paid a part of its debt for the previous supplies. 

“We are ready to discuss how to deal with this problem and we are ready to discuss how to support the life of people in Ukraine,” Medvedev said.

Medvedev instructed Gazprom to start supplying gas to Ukraine on a prepaid basis from May 13.

“Gazprom has a right to do what has been repeatedly discussed, namely to switch over to advance payments for Ukrainian consumers and Ukraine under the contract,” Medvedev said on Monday, May 12. “I think it’s high time we stopped dandling about. Notify them and move on to advance payments starting tomorrow,” he said at a meeting with Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Medvedev has said that although the Russian economy’s growth this year is expected at a level of 0.5%, there are more optimistic forecasts. Some experts point to the possibility of a 2-3% GDP growth by the end of this year.

Also, Medvedev said the government counted on stable oil prices.

 

Investment projects

Priority development territories will be created in the coming years not only in the Russian Far East, but also in other regions of the country. The corresponding bill that is currently being developed is “universal,” Dmitry Medvedev said.

He said that the Cabinet would shortly begin the implementation of major investment projects in the Far East, which will ensure the functioning of the priority development territories (PDT).

In general, the prime minister said, the country’s socio-economic development requires the strengthening of the government in the coming years to modernise education, develop of the hosing and public utilities sphere, settle demographic tasks, fulfil the “May” decrees of Russian president, as well as plans envisaged in the guidelines of the government even in difficult conditions.”

“Such major sphere as socio-economic development of Crimea will also require certain additional costs and efforts,” Medvedev said.