Energy Ministry of Belarus does not admit indebtedness to Gazprom

In a response to claims of the Russian side, the deputy Energy minister stated that Belarus is paying to Gazprom according to previous agreements.

Belarus has been paying for Russian natural gas supplies in full, stated the deputy energy minister of Belarus Eduard Tavpyanets, dismissing reports of Gazprom's demand for payment of $231 million in overdue debt for gas delivered in January-April.

"Payments have been made in full based on the average annual price of about $150 per 1,000 cubic meters, as stipulated in the high-level agreements," Eduard Tavpyanets said.

To the question whether Gazprom is set to demand payment of the outstanding debt, the deputy minister said Beltransgaz should be contacted for that, saying that the ministry has received no official demands from the Russian gas monopoly.

Beltransgaz director general Uladzimir Mayorau declined to comment on the issue so far.

“An official statement for the press will be released,” he said.

Today BelaPAN agency with a reference to the reports of the National Statistics Committee has informed that the average price of the Russian gas in January-April 2009 was $198 per thousand cubic metres for Belarus.

It is 15 less as compared to the period of January-March.

As we have informed, in early February 2009 Gazprom and Beltransgaz signed an additional agreement to the contract of gas deliveries to Belarus in 2007-2011. It includes step-by-step decrease of gas price in 2009 considering the oil price decline worldwide.

Minsk and Moscow frequently have disputes over the gas price.

It was informed on June 17 that Gazprom sent a letter to Beltransgaz requesting payment of the outstanding debt for the January-May 2009 period. The debt is $231.18 mln minus fines.