Following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi, President Vladimir Putin noted that Belarus buys gas from Russian companies. Often problems arise that are seen as being disputes between states when in reality they are problems between companies.
The President said he believes these problems arise because equal economic conditions for companies in both countries have not yet been put in place. But there is now an understanding of how to settle these problems, Mr Putin said.
During their talks the two Presidents also discussed the question of introducing a single currency for the Russian-Belarusian Union State. The transition to a single currency has already been completely worked through from the point of view of Russia’s and Belarus’ economic interests, but more time is needed for the general population to prepare for this change. Implementing plans to introduce a single currency starting in January 2005 seems hardly feasible, Mr Putin noted.