The Russian state company Gazprom has acquired 50 % share in Beltransgaz for $ 2.5 billion, what makes it the sole owner of the Belarus pipeline which carries gas from Russia to the European Union.
The first half of Beltransgaz was bought in the mid of 2000 also for $ 2.5 billion.
In its turn, Belarus will get gas at a double discount, what equals the gas price for Russian market plus transit costs. Minsk will pay just $165.60 per thousand cubic meters next year, 40 per cent less than in 2011. The price for gas to Belarus in 2013-2014 will be corrected according to inflation rate.
Author: Irina Fomina