According to Itera, restrictions on gas supplies to Belarus, which were imposed on January 24, were lifted. The problem with gas deliveries for January 2004 has been settled, but it is necessary to sign new contracts for gas supplies to Belarus after January 29.

Itera and Transnafta have already delivered about 1.05bn cubic meters of natural gas to Belarusian consumers this month, according to contracts signed earlier. Belarus needs about 2bn cubic meters of natural gas in January 2004.

Earlier, Russian gas supplies to Belarus were provided by the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom. However, the company stopped its deliveries because of a number of problems. After that, natural gas to Belarus was delivered by independent suppliers. However, they said on January 23 that Belarus had received all gas deliveries according to the contracts signed, and gas supplies were stopped.

Russia’s decision to stop gas deliveries to Belarus in mid-winter may seem inhumane, but apparently the Kremlin decided that this was the only effective way to secure payment, the Russian Courier comments.

Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko said at a news conference after a government meeting on January 24: “Not a single plant, not a single house or an apartment will be left without heating, electricity or gas. Our confidence is based on the fact that we fully paid for gas deliveries to Belarus in 2003.”