German Ambassador: Ukraine "Most Important" Russian Gas Route

The German ambassador to Ukraine Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth has said that Ukraine is still the most important gas transit route for Russian gas. 

"We know that the Ukrainian gas transport system remains the most important route for the transportation of Russian gas to Europe," he said in Kiev yesterday. 

"The modernization of this GTS [gas transport system] is the most economical and most effective way to save this important thread of gas supply from Russia to Europe.

Ukrainian Minister of Energy and the Coal Industry Yuriy Bokyo, who was also present at the signing, echoed the ambassador's sentiments.

"We show everyone--our European partners and Russian colleagues--the reliability of our gas transportation system, its potential and economic attractiveness. Therefore, we defend our position that our GTS is the most profitable direction of transit of the Russian gas to Europe."

Ambassador Heimsoeth said that Ukraine's continued modernisation made the country more attractive to German companies.

"Now, Ukraine is working on the modernization of this gas transportation system, German companies are showing great interest in participating in its modernization."