MOSCOW, May 18 (UPI) -- Belarus has said it is ready to swap a 50 percent stake in state-controlled gas distributor Beltranshaz for Gazprom's gas assets. "We are prepared to transfer a 50-per-cent stake in Beltranshaz to a Russian-Belarusian gas transit joint venture in exchange for stakes in Gazprom's gas assets which would allow us to pump 10 billion to 12 billion cubic meters and thus guarantee gas supplies at fairly low prices ," said Uladzimir Syamashka , first deputy prime minister. "Talks are currently going on in a calm atmosphere." The comments were reported by the ITAR-TASS news agency. The remarks come amid a planned move by Gazprom to increase nearly threefold - from $50 to $150 per 1 ,000 cubic meters - the price of gas to Belarus. Syamashka called the proposed rate excessive. He said the country would set up a "stabilization fund" to cushion the economy against steep rises in gas and oil prices, ITAR-TASS reported.Related Topics Articles：

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