2015–2017 gas supply and transit contracts are to be signed with Belarus before long

Besides, the work is underway to create the Investment Rationale for the Belarusian GTS development.

The Gazprom headquarters hosted a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Vladimir Semashko, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus.

The parties discussed the cooperation in the gas sector, highlighting that Gazprom was a reliable gas supplier for Belarusian consumers. In order to ensure safe operation during the autumn-winter period, the Company increased operative gas reserve in Belarus underground gas storage (UGS) facilities from 920 million cubic meters (detected as of the 2013 withdrawal season start-up) to over 1 billion cubic meters as well as to raise the maximum daily send-out from 18 to 31 million cubic meters.

Alexey Miller and Vladimir Semashko paid attention to gas supply to Belarus and its transit through the country in 2015–2017. It was stressed that the new contracts were almost ready.

The meeting participants also gave consideration to proactive participation of Gazprom in socioeconomic development of Belarus. The Company is sustainably enhancing business ties with local companies. Thus, the 2014–2016 Roadmap signed recently will make it possible to expand the use of Belarusian high-tech products and solutions at Gazprom's facilities.

The Company contributes greatly to national health programs in Belarus, such as Early Detection of Hearing Disorders in Children or Early Detection of Vision Disorders in Children. Gazprom allotted funds in reconstructing the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial and creating a museum. Minsk hosted a zonal round of Gazprom Neft Cup, Europe's major International KHL Tournament among Children's Hockey Teams.

On November 25, 2011 the Russian Federation Government and the Government of the Republic of Belarus signed:

    the Agreement on the prices (tariffs) formation procedure for natural gas supply to the Republic of Belarus and transmission via gas pipelines located in the country;
    the Agreement on the terms and conditions for shares purchase and sale and further activities of Beltransgaz.

In furtherance of the above-mentioned documents, Gazprom and Beltransgaz signed on November 25, 2011 contracts for gas supply to Belarus and gas transmission via the Republic for 2012–2014. In addition, Gazprom and the State Property Committee of the Republic of Belarus entered into the purchase and sale contract for a 50 per cent stake in Beltransgaz. Taking account of the 50 per cent stake in Beltransgaz acquired by Gazprom between 2007 and 2010, Gazprom became the owner of 100 per cent of Beltransgaz (present Gazprom Transgaz Belarus) shares.

In 2013 Gazprom supplied Belarusian consumers with 20.3 billion cubic meters of gas; the volume of transit totaled 48.8 billion cubic meters of gas.