Belarus to buy Russian gas for $210-220 in 2011

Russian natural gas will cost Belarus $210-220 per 1000 cubic meters in 2011, Belarus' First Deputy Prime Minister Uladzimir Syamashka told reporters on November 9. Belarus and Russia are still discussing "some issues". Russia earlier said it planned to reach market prices for natural gas by 2015, but it would take into account Belarus' ally status. It means that next year's price for Belarus will be lower than for European consumers. Uladzimir Syamashka also said tariffs for the transit of Russian gas would increase. This year, it is set at $1.88 per 1000 cubic meters. In 2011, the tariff will be raised up to $2 per 1000 cubic meters. The cost of Russian crude transit via Belarus will be set depending on the exchange rate of the Russian rouble against the dollar.
 
Media reports suggested earlier that Russian natural gas would cost $250 per 1000 cubic meters in 2011. Currently, Belarus pays approximately $193 per 1000 cubic meters, reports Belapan.