Russian gas monopoly Gazprom chief Alexei Miller (R) and Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky attend a news conference at the Gazprom headquarters in Moscow Jan. 1, 2007. Russia and Belarus announced a last-minute deal on gas prices on Monday, moments before Moscow was to start cutting off supplies with potential disruption for customers in Europe. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

 MOSCOW, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian gas giant Gazprom and Belarus signed an agreement on gas supplies to the country in 2007in last-minute talks, averting a threatened gas cutoff to Belarus, Russian news agencies reported early Monday.

    Gazprom chairman Alexei Miller was quoted as saying Belarus would buy gas at 100 U.S. dollars per 1,000 cubic meters next year, more than doubling what Belarus paid in 2006 -- 46.7 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters -- for Russian gas.

    Miller was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying that Gazprom would buy a 50 percent stake in Belarus' gas transport company Beltransgaz for 2.5 billion dollars with cash to be paid down in four years.

    Gazprom and Belarus also agreed on charges for Russian gas transit through Belarus to Europe. Miller said the transit fee would rise to 1.45 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters for every 100 kilometers next year from the 0.75 dollars Gazprom paid in 2006.

    Gazprom had warned it would cut gas supplies to Belarus if no deal on a price hike was reached by New Year's Day.¡¡

    Related:

    Gazprom, Belarus resume last-minute gas talks

    MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Belarus First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko arrived in Moscow on Sunday for the eleventh-hour negotiations with Russian gas giant Gazprom on the price Belarus pays for gas supplies next year, Russian news agencies reported. Full story>>

    Belarus, Gazprom accuse each other of blackmail on gas price

    MOSCOW, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Belarus and Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom accused each other of blackmail in talks on Russian gas exports, Russian news agencies reported on Friday. Full story>>

   Gazprom not to change offer to Belarus on gas price

    MOSCOW, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Gazprom is not going to backtrack on the terms made earlier to Belarus for gas supplies, Russian gas giant Gazprom spokesman said on Friday. <<

    Gazprom warns Belarus over gas supplies

    MOSCOW, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia gas giant Gazprom warned Belarus on Wednesday that it might cut natural gas supplies to the country if no deal on a price hike is reached by the New Year. <<