Ukraine seeks settlement of international cooperation problems in gas area

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Ukraine's President Envoy for International Energy Security Bohdan Sokolovsky

Ukraine is interested in addressing issues of international cooperation in gas area immediately, which have aggravated after signing and implementing the Ukraine-Russia gas deals of January 19, 2009 with non-reformation of the Ukrainian gas market, the Ukrainian President's Envoy for International Energy Security, Bohdan Sokolovsky, has said.

"An optimal solution to these issues would be an immediate reformation of domestic gas market and modernization of the gas transit infrastructure according to EU countries standards,. the official believes.

The matter first of all concerns practical implementation of the Joint Statement of Ukraine, the European Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, signed at the initiative of Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko on March 23, 2009 in Brussels.

"The European side is ready to extend sufficient funds for this purpose on easy terms. Any other options, including reanimation of the idea of a 'consortium' regarding the existing Ukrainian gas transit system, pose serious risks' from the point of view of Ukraine's national interests and stability guaranteeing,. Sokolovsky says.

In his words, the January 19, 2009 contracts enable the Russian side to control the Ukrainian gas transit system de facto. While the attempt to set up a consortium only legitimates foreign control over the existing gas transit system and will lead, in particular, to the loss of a part of profits from the transit of the Russian natural gas by Ukraine, which are yet understated compared with other European transit countries.

The question about the establishment of a consortium is directly linked to alienation of a part of the gas transit system being in Ukraine's state ownership or its transfer to the management of foreign companies. Both are forbidden by the Ukrainian laws.

"Hence, an optimal for Ukraine variant of gas problems settlement is an immediate reformation of domestic gas market within mutual commitments of Ukraine, the EU and the international finance institutes, as well as the review of separate provisions of the January 2009 gas deals on partner mutually beneficial terms,. Sokolovsky underscored.

As UKRINFORM reported, Viktor Yanukovych, if elected, intends to reanimate the idea of a gas transit consortium.

UKRINFORM