BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

15/01/2007

Russia to keep supporting Belarus - Putin

MOSCOW, January 15 (Itar-Tass) - Russia's direct or indirect support for the Belarussian economy "will continue for a long time," Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday, adding, however, that "starting from this year, it will be sizably reduced".

"It is estimated at about 3.3 billion dollars in gas, and at 2.5 billion dollars in oil and oil products," the president said at a government session. "The second figure was calculated exactly, and was coordinated with the Belarussian side," Putin added.

"So, all in all 5.8 billion dollars only as concerns fuel - this is support for the Belarussian economy in 2007," President Putin stressed.

Source:

http://www.tass.ru/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11155919&PageNum=0