Ukraine-EU cooperation in energy area should remain in focus of the
process of Ukraine's European integration, and in particular, its
joining the European energy space, Anatoliy Kinakh, MP, member of the
Ukrainian parliamentary delegation, said in Brussels addressing the
EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, UKRINFORM's correspondent reports.
Kinakh recalled that under the terms of the long-term contracts for
the next 10 years Russia had pledged to supply through Ukraine to the
EU countries no less than 110 billion cu m of gas, or 70% of all
imports to the European market. During this period Ukraine will be
remaining a strategic transiter for the EU and a component part of its
energy security.
“In this context we are concerned about an unconsolidated stand of
the European countries as regards the energy policy. They do not
demonstrate a common policy on the projects of the North and South
Streams. At the same time, the European Commission knows that the
Ukrainian gas transmission system (GTS) is now capable to deliver
minimum 145 billion cu m of gas to the west border. The question arises
then: why is it necessary to build alternative gas pipelines?,” the
Ukrainian MP said.
A. Kinakh believes that “all - Russia, Ukraine and the EU” have
lost” in the recent gas conflict. “And this circumstance should be
taken into account in further consolidation of efforts, formation of
the balance of interests of the consumer countries, transiter countries
and supplier countries in frames of the creation of a transparent
market - without monopolies or double standards,” he noted.
According to the parliamentarian, the ruling and opposition parties
in Ukraine do not have disagreements on the need for the country's
economic and political integration with the EU, as well as regarding
the importance to continue this policy.
