RusEnergy

MOSCOW, June 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russian natural gas exports grew by 10.8% in January-May, 2005 as compared to the same 2004 period and totaled 74.96 billion cubic meters, said Gazexport company, Gazprom's exporting subsidiary.Natural gas exports to foreign countries totaled 68.89 billion cubic meters as compared to 65.6 billion in January-May 2004.Western Europe accounted for 49.58 billion cubic meters (46.68 billion in the same 2004 period) and Eastern Europe - for 19.31 billion cubic meters (18.92 billion in 2004).The former Soviet republics received 6.07 billion cubic meters of natural gas (2.05 billion in January-May 2004).