Russian energy ministry denounces $160 as gas price for Belarus in 2008

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Energy has denounced media reports that Belarus will have to pay $160 per 1000 cubic meters of the natural gas in 2008, according to the Russian news agencies, quoting the statement by Ivan Matserov, Russian Deputy Energy Minister, made backstage during the Russia-Hungary inter-governmental consultations in Budapest today. In his view, the gas price for Belarus in 2008 will hover around $125 per 1000 cubic meters. The final price "will be prepared by specialists any day to come", he added.