Naftogaz Ukrainy to start talks soon on bringing in partners to manage Ukraine's gas transit system
KYIV. Aug 15 (Interfax) - The approval of the law to reform Ukraine's gas transportation system is paving the way for official talks to begin with companies from the EU and the U.S. that are interested in working with the system, Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy said in a commentary.
Naftogaz said it intended to begin official talks soon with the operators of gas transportation network concerning their participation in managing Ukraine's system.
The company added that according to a document approved by the Verkhovna Rada on Thursday, an agreement on the gas transportation system's management can be signed only after the Verkhovna Rada's approval.
"The approval of this law is an important step that will allow [us] to lower the risks in transporting gas on the territory of Ukraine that have arisen due to an aggravation of Russian-Ukrainian relations," Naftogaz's press service quoted Naftogaz Ukrainy CEO Andrei Kobolev as saying.
He said bringing in leading western companies to manage Ukraine's gas transportation system will help the country completely integrate into the united European energy space. Kobolev added that under the circumstances that have arisen, this is the best way to protect Ukraine's energy interests.
"It is important that the main consumer of Russian gas - the EU - be confident in the reliability of transporting natural gas for years to come. This is a significant step on the road to building a system of energy security for Europe," he said.
Kobolev added that according to the law, the Ukrainian gas transportation system will remain in state ownership. "And all business processes will be structured according to European standards. This will make the Ukrainian gas transportation system transparent and understandable for western partners," he said.
