BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

14/12/2007

Putin hails Russian-Belarussian ties

MOSCOW, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday spoke highly of relations between Russia and Belarus, pledging to further economic and trade ties, according to reports reaching here.

"Relations between Russia and Belarus are extensive and keep growing. This year, I am certain, we will reach a new level in trade and economic ties -- over 24 billion U.S. dollars," Putin said in talks with his Belarussian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk.

Putin was in Minsk for a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Russia-Belarus Union State slated for Dec. 13-14 that will focus on the Union State's 4 billion-ruble (158 million U.S. dollars) budget for next year and discuss the adoption of a constitutional act and fuel and energy cooperation.

The two countries, which agreed to forge a union state after the collapse of the Soviet Union, have witnessed a down-turn in relations in recent years due to disputes over oil and gas prices.

During the visit, the two countries are also expected to sign an intergovernmental agreement granting Belarus a stabilization loan, the RIA news agency quoted a Union State official as reporting.

The loan will be used to pay for the rising cost of oil and natural gas imports from Russia.

On Jan. 1, Russia raised the price of its gas supplies to Belarus to 100 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters from 46.7 dollars in2006, sparking an energy dispute between the two countries.

Source:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/14/content_7252069.htm