Gazprom denies reports that Belarusian delegation is holding gas price negotiations in Moscow

Gazprom has denied media reports that a Belarusian delegation is holding negotiations in Moscow about the price of Russian natural gas for Belarus in 2009 and 2010.

“We’ve heard that the Belarusian minister of economy is staying Moscow, but we know nothing about his mission,” a spokeswoman for the Russian gas monopoly, told BelaPAN on Wednesday.

The press office of the economy ministry confirmed to BelaPAN that a delegation led by Minister Mikalay Zaychanka had left for Moscow on January 23, but refused to disclose the purpose of the visit.

Russian news agencies reported earlier in the day with reference to a source in the Belarusian government that the delegation would hold gas price negotiations in the hope that the price for Belarus would not increase in the next two years.

Under a five-year contract, signed in Moscow on December 31, 2006, Belarus paid $100 for 1000 cubic meters in 2007 compared with $46.68 in the previous two and a half years. The price was to gradually increase to the European market level by 2011. It was to be 67 percent of the level in 2008, 80 percent in 2009, 90 percent in 2010, and 100 percent in 2011.

On January 1, 2008, the price increased from $100 to $119 per 1000 cubic meters.