1 July, Minsk /Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA/. Belarus and Russia are close to signing a package of documents on gas supplies. This was announced today to journalists by First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko, BELTA correspondent reports. The First Deputy Prime Minister noted that a clear agreement on gas supply prices for Belarus has not yet been reached with the Russian side. "Until we initial these documents with Miller, we have not agreed on all issues 100%, but we are close to an agreement," he said. The package planned for signing includes 5 documents. Belarus links the issue of selling a 50% stake in Beltransgaz with a reduction in the price of Russian gas. "Life forces us to consider these issues as a package," added Vladimir Semashko. According to the First Deputy Prime Minister, Belarus and Russia need to discuss the draft of a new gas supply contract today. The current contract expires on December 31. "Advance discussions and preparation of the draft contract are important for both Belarus and Russia, as the budget for the next year is being formed and it is necessary to understand what the price of energy resources will be," he said, adding that the new contract should comply with the principles of the Single Economic Space. -0-

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