BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

06/12/2007

Gazprom seeks 60 pct Belarus gas price hike-source

MINSK, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM: Quote, Profile, Research) wants to charge Belarus 60 percent more for gas in 2008 following an increase in global energy prices, a source close to the government of Belarus said on Thursday.

The source said Gazprom was seeking a price of $160 per 1,000 cubic metres, up from the current $100 -- the lowest price it charges its customers.

Gazprom charges European clients over $250 and the price is expected to rise to $350 next year. Earlier this week, Gazprom agreed with Ukraine to raise the price to $179.5 from the previous $130.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to visit Minsk late next week. (Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky, writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; editing by Douglas Busvine)

Source:

http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSL063750120071206