BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/01/2007

Belarus will get over 21Bln cubic meters of gas in 2007 - official

MINSK. Jan 2 (Interrax-West) - Belarus will get 21.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2007 and another 600 million if technical capabilities allow, Belarus' First Deputy Energy Minister Eduard Tovpenets said at the Minsk airport on Monday on his return from Moscow.

"The volume of gas, to be shipped to Belarus in 2007, is far above the volume received in 2006 and will guarantee normal and smooth work of the country's economy and energy sector," Tovpenets said, noting that 20.5 billion cubic meters of gas were delivered in 2006.

"The contract signed will guarantee the country's stable economic performance and uninterrupted electricity and heat supplies. Belarus has also confirmed to its foreign partners, alarmed by possible delays I gas transit, that it is a reliable supplier," the Belarussian official said.

The contract is intended for the next five years - "the first ever contract to have been signed for such a long period," he said.

The Energy Ministry has been working on a plan of energy saving and technological overhauling measures, which will smooth out the negatve effects of the price rise," said Tovpenets.

Source:

http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=11656445