BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/03/2007

Belarus Forms Group To Tackle Transferring Share Of Pipeline Operator To Russia

The Belarusian government has formed a group led by Energy Minister Alyaksandr Azyarets to set up a Belarusian-Russian enterprise that would control the assets of Beltranshaz, Belarus's gas-pipeline operator, Belapan reported on March 20. Under an agreement signed in Moscow on December 31, 2006, Gazprom is to hold a 50 percent stake in the joint enterprise and pay $2.5 billion for the stake in equal installments over four years. Gazprom is to acquire the 50 percent stake by June 1, 2010. By the end of the first half of 2007, Gazprom is expected to purchase a 12.5 percent stake in Beltranshaz for $625 million. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/03/3-CEE/cee-210307.asp