MINSK, Belarus, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Belarus will demand Russia pay rent for the pipeline land it uses to pump oil and gas to Europe, Belarus' president said Tuesday.

 

Without fuss or ambitions, we will take corresponding measures in line with international law and will demand that they pay us, President Alexander Lukashenko said.

The former Soviet state tried to impose a retaliatory levy on Russian oil passing through its territory three weeks ago but relented after Russia halted crude supplies.

The standoff began when Russia more than doubled the price Belarus had to pay for natural gas and slapped an export duty on oil supplies to the country. Minsk retaliated with the levy on Russia's Europe-bound crude.

The move led to a three-day stoppage of supplies to Germany and central Europe. During the spat, Moscow accused Minsk of tapping oil as payment for transit services.

The row was resolved after Belarus lifted its transit duty, and Russia cut its export duty to $53 a metric ton from $180.70. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Publication date: 24 January 2007   

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