EU to Discuss Russian-Belarusian Gas Agreement :: Charter'97 :: News

A session of the coordination group of the European Council on gas including government experts, representatives of companies-manufacturers and consumers of energy of the EU member countries of this regional organization is planned in Brussels on Thursday. The meeting has been convened by the European Commissioner on Energy A. Pibalgs. Its main topic would be the situation with Russian gas deliveries to the EU after striking a bilateral agreement on gas deliveries and transit between Russia and Belarus.

“The situation after agreement undertaking would be analyzed,” Pibalgs’ press secretary told, RIA Novosti inform.

On behalf of the EU the European Commissioner has urged Moscow and Minsk earlier “to reach a mutually acceptable agreement as soon as possible which does not contest gas transit to Europe”.

After announcing a deal on gas prices between Gazprom and Belarus two minutes before the new year, the European Commission expresses a hope that deliveries of Russian gas to Europe would be carried out without interruptions according to contracts.

In 2007 Belarus is to pay $100 per 1,000 cubic metres of Russian gas.

Gazprom is to pay for 50% of Beltransgaz shares with $2.5 billion for 4 years. Under the new contract Belarus will pay for the gas all in cash and Gazprom will buy the pipeline shares in cash.