BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

30/09/2006

Belarus warns Russia over gas price rise

A row over energy is threatening the special relationship between Russia and the ex-Soviet state of Belarus. Its President Alexander Lukashenko has warned he will sever all links if, as planned, Moscow sharply increases the price Minsk must pay for Russian gas.

"It is not about us buying the cheapest possible gas," he told a group of Russian journalists.

"We are not against the hike, even if the price is 500 dollars (per cubic metre).

"But then let Russia pay the same amount (for transit). It is about equitable conditions."

As part of a growing trend of increasing what have traditionally been discounted tariffs to many former parts of the Soviet Union, Russian energy giant Gazprom has threatened to quadruple prices for Belarus from next year.

The firm will reconsider if Belarus gives up control of its gas pipeline network - an offer repeatedly rejected by Minsk.

Source:

http://euronews.net/create_html.php?page=detail_info&article=382479&lng=1