Russia ready to give loan to Belarus in exchange for Beltransgaz?

The Russian government is prepared to give a technical loan worth up to $1.5 billion to Belarus on condition that 30 percent of the Beltransgaz, the state-owned pipeline operator, are controlled by the Russian side.

Thus, Russia seeks to expedite the establihsment of a joint venture between Gazprom and Beltransgaz, which would allow the Russian monopoly to control the pipelines in Belarus.

On Friday, the press office of Gazprom disseminated information about the agenda of the meeting of the monopoly's board of directors to take place on April 25. The meeting is expected to discuss the issue of "participating in Beltransgaz".

The establishment of a joint venture with Beltransgaz with 50 percent plus 1 share going to Gazprom was one of the conditions of the gas deal between the two countries in 2007.

Gazprom agreed to sell gas at the price of $100 per 1000 cubic meters instead of the initial price tag of $200. Belarus promised to create a joint venture by June 1, 2007, writes today the Russian business daily Konnersant

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