EXCLUSIVE-UPDATE 1-Ecuador offers lower tax to oil firms

(Adds minister's quote, details and background)

QUITO, June 12 (Reuters) - Ecuador is offering to cut windfall taxes for foreign oil companies for one year and keep the current contract models in exchange for them dropping lawsuits against the government, Oil Minister Galo Chiriboga told Reuters on Thursday.

The new offer would mark a softer tone for leftist President Rafael Correa, who wants to boost state control over the country's natural resources and has pushed foreign oil companies into the negotiating table.

"This is the Ecuadorean state's sign of goodwill to the companies and I hope they also give us a sign," said Chiriboga, who meet earlier with Correa to polish the offer and plans to gather with companies's executives later on Thursday.

"During this one year period, we will negotiate a new service contract model."

Ecuador has suffered a string of suits by foreign companies who say the windfall tax makes their business inviable in South America's No 5 oil producer. The latest coming from Spain's oil giant Repsol (REP.MC: Quote, Profile, Research) earlier this week.

Other companies negotiating with Ecuador includes Brazil's Petrobras (PETR4.SA: Quote, Profile, Research) , China's Andes Petroleum consortium (0857.HK: Quote, Profile, Research) and France's Perenco. (Reporting by Alonso Soto; Editing by Marguerita Choy)