BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

02/06/2006

Official: Belarus, Gazprom talks positive

MOSCOW, June 2 (UPI) -- Belarusian Prime Minister Syarhey Sidorski Friday called talks with Russian gas giant Gazprom on pricing were constructive.

"I discussed the subject with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov at our latest meeting. We are satisfied with progress of the ongoing gas price negotiations," he told the nation's House of Representatives. The comments were reported by the Belapan news agency.

In talks between the two sides Thursday, Gazprom executives said they viewed discussions as talks between two distinct economic entities, he said.

"We are using the logic that Gazprom is using. We are looking for economic approaches, economic tools that can influence the gas price for the country," he said.

Gazprom wants to increase nearly threefold -- from $50 to $150 per 1,000 cubic meters -- the price of gas to Belarus to bring it more in line with what it charges other customers.

Source:

http://www.upi.com/Energy/view.php?StoryID=20060602-110415-8473r

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