The Russian state gas monopoly Gazprom reported on Wednesday that Belarus has fully settled its debts for delivered gas, paying the remaining amount of up to 460 million dollars.
The confirmation of the payment receipt for the outstanding gas account has reduced fears that the latest dispute between Russia and its neighbor could lead to interruptions in gas supplies to the European market.
"Gazprom confirms that Beltransgaz has made the last payment for the gas delivered in the first six months of this year," states the press release from the public relations department of the Russian gas giant regarding the debts of the Belarusian pipeline operator. Gazprom threatened last week to nearly halve its gas supplies to Belarus if the country did not settle its debts. This raised concerns that Belarus could redirect gas from pipelines that transport one-fifth of Russia’s gas exports intended for the European market. Additionally, the sensitivity of these pipeline networks used by Russia for exports to Western markets has been emphasized again.
The dispute began with the signing of a supply contract in 2006, in which Belarus committed to pay 1,000 cubic meters of gas at a price of 100 dollars (73 euros), double the previous price of 46 dollars, or 33 euros. The agreement allowed Minsk to pay 1,000 cubic meters of gas at a price of 55 dollars for the first six months of this year to give the Belarusian economy time to adjust. (Hina)
