Belarus put forward ultimatum to Gazprom

/IRBIS, June 24, 2010/ - Belarus stated that he fully paid the debt, and has put forward ultimatum to Gazprom to pay debt for gas transit of Beltransgaz. It was said on June 23, by Mr. Vladimir Semashko First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, the press office of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus. The government of Belarus has put forward ultimatum to Gazprom, saying that if the money for transit will not be paid until 10.00 today, will finish the providing transit service across the country: "But now our right, and I insist on Gazprom to 10.00 am tomorrow to pay Beltransgaz $260 million if this is not done, then we will have to stop providing services for the transit of hydrocarbons through the territory of Belarus", - transmit words of Mr. Semashko press service of the Ministry. "Yes, the debt of $ 187 million accumulated. But then, Gazprom now has Beltransgaz $ 260 million" - are in the message the words of the Deputy Prime Minister. As indicated, Mr. V. Semashko said that during the 10 months of last year, Gazprom regularly pay Beltransgaz for gas transit. However, at the 11th month in 2009 Gazprom executives thought that something was wrong, and it ceased to accept acts of Beltransgaz, which was clearly stated how much gas was transited and in what rate. And the tariff has been contracted $ 1.74 for 1 thousand cubic meters per 100 kilometers. "Gazprom is paying $ 1.45. Thus, an accumulated debt for transit in the amount of $260 million. In turn, as indicated, Beltransgaz has fulfilled all its commitments on gas transit to Europe. Moreover, Gazprom's gas transit through Belarus because of the lowest rates and the shortest route gives Gazprom about $0.5 billion in additional revenue annually. First Deputy Prime Minister noted that the Belarusian side has repeatedly appealed to "Gazprom" with the proposal to offset the debt, but Gazprom has taken the position that can be seen in the last days. In this situation, Belarus was forced to show a gesture of goodwill and formed the first to pay gas debt in the amount of U.S. $187 million ", - said Mr. Vladimir Semashko. [2010-06-24]