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Belarus expects to continue buying gas at last year's price, CEO of pipeline operator says

Belarus expects to buy Russian natural gas at last year's price in 2010, Uladzimir Mayoraw, director general of the Beltranshaz gas pipeline operator, said in a televised interview on January 20.

The executive said that Gazprom had been offered participation in a number of projects in exchange for keeping the price for Belarus at last year's level.

"Gazprom experts are now studying the projects and programs offered by us, studying a draft additional agreement sent by us, and we, of course, expect the talks to yield positive results," Mr. Mayoraw said.

Gazprom CEO Aleksei Miller said in December that the price of Russian natural gas for Belarus would be about $168 per 1000 cubic meters in the first three months of 2010.

“This year’s average price is 11 percent lower, some $150,” he said.

“Owing to the absence of export duty, the gas price for Belarus is considerably lower than for other buyers of Russian gas,” Mr. Miller said. “The agreed period of transition to higher prices allows the Belarusian economy to adapt.” //BelaPAN