Yushchenko offers free gas transit

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Ukraine is ready to pump gas to European consumers free of charge until the agreement on gas price and transit rate is concluded with Russia, President Viktor Yushchenko said this at a meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London on January 15, the presidential press-service reports.

According to Yushchenko, the supply of gas to the EU countries is the No.1 task. "We will put aside all commercial, conflict issues. This is not so important today for the European consumer," the Ukrainian President noted. "A desire and will I have brought in on behalf of Ukraine to Europe should testify to our European friends: Ukraine is Europe's friend, Ukraine is doing its best to ensure the deliveries of Russian gas amid impossible conditions," he stressed adding that Ukraine's government guarantees have been already officially sent to the Russian party.

The question is now about the availability of a political will needed for its settlement. "We are asking today the Russian party - to open a full-contract gas delivery as requires the relevant technical agreement. Ukraine guarantees the transit of this gas," the Head of State underscored.

Viktor Yushchenko has reiterated that Ukraine had fully paid for the gas it was supplied with in 2008, and our state like last year and since January 1, 2009 has not been taking the gas illegally.

"I want everybody to know: Ukraine did not steal and is not stealing gas. If the matter remains such acute, we are again addressing the European Commission to set up a special commission to look into the issues relative to the supplies of Russian gas, fulfillment of transit functions by Ukraine, and what is most important - could assess the withdrawal or non withdrawal of gas by Ukraine out of Russian supplies to Europe," Yushchenko said.

UKRINFORM