The balance of Russian gas for Belarus in 2011 will be 22.5 billion cubic meters.

December 16, Minsk /Lilia Krapivina - BELTA/. The balance of Russian gas for Belarus in 2011 will amount to 22.5 billion cubic meters. This was announced to journalists today by Vladimir Mayorov, Director General of OJSC "Beltransgaz", as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "The gas balance for Belarus in 2011 is projected at 22.5 billion cubic meters," said Vladimir Mayorov. "As for the gas price next year, I cannot announce this figure yet," he added. This volume of gas is necessary for Belarus, taking into account economic growth and actual consumption. As for the price of natural gas for next year, it is difficult to predict. This is due to the dynamics of oil price growth, as the gas price is linked to the price of oil products. "Therefore, I cannot yet formulate and announce this figure," said the Director General of "Beltransgaz". He also emphasized the importance for Belarus of the agreement on the rules of access to the services of natural monopolies, signed on December 9 within the framework of the Customs Union. This agreement lays down the principles of pricing and equal profitability of energy prices. "This agreement on the rules of access to the services of natural monopolies, including the basis for pricing and tariff policy, contains articles that are quite important for Belarus," emphasized Vladimir Mayorov. The concept of market, equally profitable prices is defined. These are wholesale gas prices formed to meet domestic needs based on the principles of equal profitability. This agreement has not yet entered into force and has not been ratified by all participants. Belarus will continue negotiations to clarify and adjust some aspects of gas pricing in 2011. Vladimir Mayorov also noted that Russia and Kazakhstan have undertaken obligations in this agreement to achieve equal profitability by January 1, 2015. Currently, gas prices in Russia and Kazakhstan are lower than in Belarus. Therefore, a transition period is designated until 2015, and these states will achieve equal profitability in the domestic market. This will contribute to equal principles of competition, comparability and correlation of criteria, and competitiveness of products, emphasized the Director General of "Beltransgaz". -0-