Ukraine: Zurabov Considers Gas Consortium Creation Unlikely

A gas transportation consortium is unlikely to be created, since it requires the guarantee of Europe's interest in the Ukrainian gas transportation system, said Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov at the meeting of the CIS Advisory Council for Consumer Protection, a ForUm correspondent reports.

"If the Europeans begin to invest in the Ukrainian gas transportation system, it would indirectly confirm they are ready not only to use it, but to receive a certain amount of Russian gas as well.

That may advance the negotiations on the gas transportation consortium creation," he said.

However, Zurabov considers the consortium issue unlikely to be returned to the agenda soon.

He stressed that a number of countries, including Germany, are interested in the creation of energy swaps. "We have clear signals about alternative supplies of Russian energy to Europe, in particular through the "North Stream." If it expands capacity, Germany will offer its GTS to the neighbors," the Ambassador said.

Zurabov stressed that in such a case, the prospect for pumping Russian gas through the Ukrainian gas transportation system will deteriorate, and then Ukraine will have to find its own sources of energy, particularly shale gas, to use the GTS for the gas supplies from the third countries to Ukraine, or to reduce GTS infrastructure.

According to him, the fact that the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov discussed the prospects of the Ukrainian gas transport system with European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger "shows an awareness of the need to get the answers about the prospects of demand for Ukrainian gas transportation system."

Source: ForUm - en.for-ua.com