Belarus wants new gas deal with Russia
Belarus deems it necessary to strike a new deal with Russia on how gas prices are formed, Belarus's first deputy prime minister Uladzimir Syamashka said in a statement. Belarus might face a significant increase in the bills for the Russian gas in 2009, Syamashka told the official news agency BELTA. He explained that when signing the agreement with Russia in December 2006, the Belarusian side followed the official document of the Russian government which contained forecasts of the oil prices in the world.
However, the situation has changed and the oil prices have soared above the forecasts of the Russian government. In the first quarter of 1008, Belarus paid $119 per 1000 cubic meters of the Russian gas. In the second quarter, Belarus was charged $128 per 1000 cubic meters. Esperts suggest that the Russian gas might cost at least $200 per 1000 cubic meters to Belarus in 2009.
However, the situation has changed and the oil prices have soared above the forecasts of the Russian government. In the first quarter of 1008, Belarus paid $119 per 1000 cubic meters of the Russian gas. In the second quarter, Belarus was charged $128 per 1000 cubic meters. Esperts suggest that the Russian gas might cost at least $200 per 1000 cubic meters to Belarus in 2009.
