Authorities not ready to pay USD 200 for Russian gas

Gas prices higher than USD 140 per 1,000 cu m will influence national measures of the country, minister of economy of Belarus Mikalai Zaichanka said at a press conference in Minsk.

“If gas price is higher (than USD 140 per 1,000 cu m – IF), it will influence national measures of the country. How it will influence, I can’t say now,” M. Zaichanka said.

As Interfax reports, the minister confirmed a project forecast of economic advance for the next year with GDP growth of 10-12 per cent is calculated on the basis of gas prices of USD 140 per 1,000 cubic meters. “We judge from this price, because it was forecasted for 2009 in accordance with the contract between Beltransgaz and Gazprom (at the end of December 2006 – IF),” the minister said. This price was set up on the basis on conditions and forecasts, made shortly before the signing of the contract, N. Zaichanka added. “We don’t know so far what will be the price, the negotiations are in the progress,” the minister said.

M. Zaichanka refused to comment on the statement of Russia’s ambassador in Belarus Aleksandr Surikov that gas prices for Belarus can exceed USD 200 per 1,000 cu m from 2009.