After raising gas prices for several of its other ex-Soviet neighbors, Russian energy giant Gazprom said it will also pursue a European price formula for Belarus as of 2007, and offered to partially compensate it for the fourfold price hike if Belarus' Beltransgaz sold it its main gas pipelines pumping Russian gas to Europe.
"I hope final decisions will be made in the near future, particularly in the energy sector, given that independent valuators have all but completed the valuation of Beltransgaz," Vladimir Putin said.
Putin, who took part in a summit of post-Soviet leaders in Belarus' capital Minsk, also said Gazprom and Beltransgaz will set up joint ventures.
"Gazprom and Beltransgaz will set up joint ventures on a parity basis," Putin said.
The price of gas supplied to Belarus has not changed since 2004, and currently stands at $46.68 per 1,000 cubic meters. Russia is seeking a price of $180-200 in the region.
