OREANDA-NEWS. Next year Belarus will import 21,6 billion cubic meters of Russian gas, Energy Minister of Belarus Alexander Ozerets said on October 16 at a session of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers, reported the Official website www.government.by.

According to him, the Belarusian and Russian sides discussed gas supplies in every quarter of 2008. In Q1 2008 Belarus will import 6,55 billion cubic meters of gas, in Q2 - 4,54 billion, in Q3 - 4,39 billion and in Q4 - 6,18 billion cubic meters of gas.

According to the Energy Ministry, in Q4, 2007 Russia is expected to supply 6,35 billon cubic meters of gas to Belarus. “These volumes and reserves in the gas storage facilities will ensure stable and uninterrupted work of the Belarusian gas supply system,” he underlined.

At present Belarus completely pays for the imported energy resources in line with the relevant contracts, Alexander Ozerets stressed.