BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

28/11/2006

Gazprom, Beltransgaz to set up joint venture this year - Putin

MINSK, November 28 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia and Belarus have a general idea of the way of solving energy and other problems, President Vladimir Putin said after Tuesday negotiations with Belarussian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.

"I hope that solutions will soon be found, especially in energy, as an independent evaluation of Beltransgaz has been done, and experts know how to reach a final agreement," he said.

"Gazprom and Beltransgaz will set up a joint venture on 50/50 terms. I hope they will do that in the near future, before the New Year," Putin said.

Source:

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11027912&PageNum=0