BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/11/2007

Russian gas could cost from USD 120 to USD 150 per 1,000 cubic metersfor Belarus in '08 - diplomat

MINSK. Nov 1 (Interfax) - Russian gas could cost from USD 120 to USD 150 per 1,000 for Belarus in 2008, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Alexander Surikov has said.

There should be no disagreements between Russian gas firm Gazprom and Belarus regarding the price formula at which Belarus would be buying Russian gas in 2008, Surikov said at a press conference in Minsk on Thursday.

"The formula has been calculated, and a contract between Gazprom and Beltransgaz has been signed. It is a mere formality to sit down, scratch your head and calculate the price," Surikov

Asked why the parties have already come up with different interpretations of the way the price formula should be understood, Surikov recommended that this question be addressed to the signatories to the document.

"You had better ask those who signed this document how the price formula can be interpreted differently. When the document was signed, the parties agreed to interpret that formula the same way. Now they have started scratching their heads. Then they should not have signed it," he said.

The price formula will be determined taking into account fluctuations of prices on oil products in December, Surikov said. "I an inclined to assume that the figure would vary between USD 120 and USD 150 [per 1,000 cubic meters], but it is so far difficult to say to which of these two it will be closer to," Surikov said.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/5/330853/news.aspx

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