"We are practically satisfied with the course of negotiations held by our experts, and with the fact that an agreement has been reached on the price of gas for Belarus at $75 per 1,000 cubic meters," Sergei Sidorsky was quoted by the Russian Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

Earlier Thursday, Sidorsky had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Fradkov, Itar-Tass said.

Belarus is buying gas from Russia at $46.70 per 1,000 cubic meters through a contract that expires Sunday.

State-controlled Gazprom has demanded Belarus pay $105 per 1,000 cubic meters next year. Belarus would pay for the increase with $75 in cash and $30 by ceding a half-share of its own government-controlled pipeline operator to Gazprom.