Price of gas imports from Russia could rise this year as much as 25%

Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG), the company authorized to negotiate those imports, is discussing prices for gas imports with Russia. The negotiators from Russia's Gazexport seek an increase of more than 25%, although they are flexible. Current regulations in Poland allow gas prices to climb as much as 22.5% this year, since PGNiG is permitted to raise prices by as much as a sum equal to 12.5% plus the rate of inflation. But since the government expected a lower inflation rate, the Economy Ministry is willing to make a revision to reduce that increase. According to Gazeta Wyborcza, the Russian side demanded $123 instead of $97 per thousand cubic meters. That would raise the price by 26.8%. The next round of negotiations takes place in mid-October and PGNiG expects a favorable discount. (Rzeczpospolita, page B2) A.D.