At the meeting with ambassadors of the European Union states and the Group of Eight Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko stated that Ukraine would clearly fulfill its obligations on Russian gas transit to Europe, according to the government’s press-office.
The Head of Government reported that Ukraine can get clear of gas debts which had been incurred by the previous government, if “RosUkrEnergo” company “sings contracts with us and sells this gas at the price of 2007 but not of 2008.”
Yulia Tymoshenko stressed that in January 2008 Ukraine had consumed only Central Asian gas.
“The Negotiating Group from the NJSC “Naftohaz of Ukraine” currently visiting “RosUkrEnergo” company with the purpose to clarify all technical details and sign with RAO “Gazprom” an evidencing instrument that we haven’t consumed Russian gas in January 2008,” the Prime Minister noted.
At the same time Yulia Tymoshenko announced her intention of “gradually stepping aside from shadow mediators not destroying balance and preventing complicated situations”.
“We’ll have to take unpopular decisions. It is necessary to return the NJSC “Naftohaz of Ukraine” to home market and try through negotiations with other countries to diversify gas supply to Ukraine. Moreover, we need to conclude direct contracts for gas supply with RAO “Gazprom” or subsidiary companies of RAO “Gazprom””, the Prime Minister said.
The Head of Government also urged the European Union to send to Ukraine a monitoring group for checking up gas balance and making an evaluation of the gas situation in Ukraine and gas transit to the European states.
