Belarus To Charge Millions For Land Under Pipelines

Part of the Druzhba pipeline system on Belarusian territory (file photo) (epa) February 2, 2007 -- Belarus plans to charge foreign states $5 million per year to rent the land under oil and gas pipelines transiting through Belarus.

The deputy head of Belarus's State Property Committee, Heorhiy Kuznyatsou, made the announcement today at a news conference in Minsk.

Russia recently raised energy tariffs for Belarus, sparking a bitter standoff.

Minsk retaliated by slapping a transit fee on Russian oil pumped through Belarus, but was later forced to back down.

(Interfax)