Russia doesn't see Ukraine's interest in modernizing its gas transport system - Medvedev
KALUGA. Oct 15 (Interfax) - Ukraine apparently does not consider cooperation with Russia in modernizing its gas transport system a priority, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov in Kaluga on Tuesday.
"In regards to the modernization of the Ukrainian gas transport system. This issue looks interesting to us as long as it looks interesting to our Ukrainian friends. We have raised it several times, but unfortunately we haven't been able to reach any decisions. This is probably not the most important problem. After all, it's your gas transport system, and it's up to you to decide whether it should be modern or it should rust," Medvedev said.
"We do use alternative supply routes. I don't see anything bad in this. This is what competition is about, which every country pursues and which ensures its economic potential," Medvedev said.
The Russian premier acknowledged that all negotiations between the two countries concern cooperation in the gas sector.
"But on the other hand, there is a subject that may be discussed and there are particular legal realities existing at the moment. And they are such that Ukraine and we have several agreements dealing with gas supply and transportation. These agreements are long-term and must be complied with. These agreements are mandatory, and they are international. Whether the prices are fair and what the terms and conditions of current cooperation are - naturally, these issues can be raised. But before we reach an agreement on general parameters of cooperation, everything that is stipulated by the existing documents should be observed, in our view - just because it can't be otherwise in international relations and because this is what international law stipulates," he said.
"And so any comments that we hear sometimes that someone may not observe something - it seems to me that this looks more like emotional judgments, while it is necessary to adhere to the letter and the spirit of the existing treaties," Medvedev said.
Azarov said in commenting on Medvedev's remark, "The price for gas is excellent, Ukraine is not interested in modernizing the gas transport system and Ukraine does not display any interest. I want to say this is not so. This is not what Dmitry Anatolyevich [Medvedev] meant."
