BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/05/2006

Gazprom may hike Belarus fees by three

MINSK, Belarus, May 2 (UPI) -- Gazprom is likely to increase Belarusian gas prices at least three-fold in 2007, Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov said on Ekho Moskvy radio Tuesday.

"Last year, when we kept the gas price for Belarus at the same level, we were guided solely by considerations of economic expediency. Last year Belarus did a lot for us," Kupriyanov said, referring to the deal that gave Gazprom ownership of the Belarusian segment of the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline.

"Now we need to understand what steps will be made this year for Gazprom to meet our economic needs. If something is done, we will consider the situation," he said.

Before any Belarusian price increases are confirmed, Kupriyanov said, the Russian state-owned gas giant is awaiting delayed proposals from the Belarusian government, which were to have arrived by the end of April.

In other Gazprom news, Kupriyanov avoided giving firm details about the company's interest in Britain's Centrica.

"For the moment, I cannot give any details concerning Centrica. But the British market is without doubt interesting to us and we are in contact with practically all the companies and are looking for opportunities to increase our share in this market," he said.

Source:

http://www.upi.com/Energy/view.php?StoryID=20060502-113711-4371r