On December 16, Minsk / Liliya Krapivina - BELTA /. The balance of Russian gas for Belarus in 2011 will amount to 22.5 billion cubic meters. This was announced by Vladimir Mayorov, General Director of OJSC "Beltransgaz", to journalists today, 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 General Director of "Beltransgaz". He also emphasized the importance for Belarus of the agreement on rules of access to natural monopoly services, 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 rules of access to natural monopoly services, including the basis for pricing and tariff policy, contains provisions 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 within this agreement to achieve equal profitability by January 1, 2015. Currently, gas prices in Russia and Kazakhstan are lower than in Belarus. Therefore, a transitional period is designated until 2015, and these countries will achieve equal profitability in the domestic market. This will promote equal principles of competition, comparability and correlation of criteria, and product competitiveness, emphasized the General Director of "Beltransgaz". -0-

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