Russian gas giant Gazprom owes Belarus an equal amount of nearly $200 million for gas transit, therefore leaving Minsk with no debts before Moscow, a Belarusian first deputy energy minister said on Friday.
"As of today, according to our accounts, Gazprom owes a little over $200 million for transit [to Western Europe]," Eduard Tovpinets said on Belarusian Channel 1 television.
He said the energy minister received on Friday a telegram from Gazprom stating that in the case of nonpayment for arrears of some $200 million by Beltransgaz, Gazprom would reduce the delivery of gas to Belarus by 85% for June.
Gazprom has given Beltransgaz until Monday to pay the outstanding debt.
MINSK, June 18 (RIA Novosti)
