The Ukrainian government, the European Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank have signed the joint declaration today in Brussels.
For Ukraine, the instrument was signed by Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko, for the European Commission by Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs, for the EIB by President Philippe Maystadt, for the EBRD by First Vice President Varel Freeman, and for the World Bank by Martin Raiser.
According to the declaration, the Ukrainian government pledged to secure independence of the gas transit operator, in particular, through implementing the EC Directive of 2003 on the common rules for the internal market in electricity. The Ukrainian government promised to enable the gas transit operators to act on a commercial basis in order to fulfill their business plan in a long-term perspective. Ukraine also pledged to ensure an access of third parties to underground gas storages on transparent commercial conditions.
At the same time, Ukraine must complete formation of gas sector till 2011 that will be also reflected in an association agreement between Ukraine and the EU, as well as in an agreement on Ukraine's joining the Energy Community. Yuliya Tymoshenko noted that the final declaration of the conference includes a clear provision that the GTS will remain in Ukraine's state property and is seen as an integral part of a common European energy infrastructure.
