BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

26/12/2006

Russia and Belarus fail to agree on gas

RBC, 26.12.2006, Moscow 15:03:11.Russia and Belarus have failed to reach an understanding on the gas issue, Sergei Kupriyanov, official spokesman for Gazprom, told the TV program Vesti today. He elaborated that the talks would be presumed, but added that Gazprom was concerned about their outcome. The holding hopes the issue will be settled before the year-end, as the current contracts will expire on December 31, 2006.

Russia's latest proposal was $110 per 1,000 cubic meters, Kupriyanov said. Of the total, $80 is to be paid in cash, and $30 in the form of Beltransgaz shares during a period of 4 years. Meanwhile, Belarus insists on $45 per 1,000 cubic meters. Kupriyanov said that Belarus was ready to agree to $75 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas provided that Gazprom reimburses it for $30 as payment for Beltransgaz shares, which reduced the price to a level unacceptable for Gazprom.

Source:

http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20061226150311.shtml

Google