Belarusian authorities didn’t pay for Russian gas

Belarus doesn’t fulfil its obligations upon payment for Russian gas. “Vedomosti” newspaper reports it with a reference to a source in the government and Gazprom.

In the second quarter of 2008 the Belarusian party paid for gas for the first quarter, while according to the contract of 31 December 2007 gas prices for Belarus depend on the European prices and amounted to USD 119 in the first quarter of 2008, and USD 128 per 1,000 cubic meters in the second one. Belarus pays 9 dollars less for 1,000 cubic meter since April, Gazprom and Russian officials believe.

Belarus purchases from Russia about 20 bln cubic meters of gas per year. Thus, debt for a quarter can amount to USD 45 mln.

Minister of Economy of Belarus Mikalai Zaichanka said Minsk had resumed talks with Russia on gas prices. According to him, if prices exceed USD 140 per 1,000 cubic meters by the end of 2008, it will have negative impact on the national economy and will cause budget deficit in Belarus. Russia’s ambassador to Belarus Aleksandr Surikov said on 9 June gas prices could amount to USD 200 in 2009.

Russian and Belarusian prime ministers Vladimir Putin and Syarhei Sidorski can discuss any issues, including this one, on the today’s bilateral negotiations, Sidorski’s spokesman Alyaksandr Tsimashenka told to “Vedomosti”.

The issue on gas prices for Belarus is already settled and nothing can be discussed there, a governmental official told to “Vedomosti”.