German Economics Minister Michael Glos on Thursday called for a solution as soon as possible to the disputes over gas supplies between Russia and Belarus.

"I appeal to both parties involved in the conflict to achieve as quickly as possible a sustainable agreement... to demonstrate their reliability as (gas) supplier and transit nation respectively," said Glos.

Germany will remain in "close contact" with both countries, said the minister.

Meanwhile, Glos said Germany's energy security is not likely to be endangered "given the existing storage capacity and limited quantities that pass through the pipeline via Belarus."

The Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom has warned Belarus that it might cut off gas supply from New Year's Day unless Belarus pays more.

Gazprom reportedly wanted Belarus to pay more than twice the current price for gas and hand over a 50 percent stake in its gas distribution system, which Belarus has rejected.

The dispute has raised concerns that deliveries of Russian gas across Belarus to Gazprom clients in the EU could also be jeopardized.

Belarus pipelines carry 29 percent of the Russian gas exported to western Europe.

Source: Xinhua