Energy Community ready to discuss issues raised in Ukrainian Energy Minister's letter
BRUSSELS. March 1 (Interfax) - The Energy Community (EC) has received a letter from Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boiko, in which Ukraine challenged the promotion by EC members of the South Stream gas pipeline project, Director of EC Secretariat Slavtcho Neykov said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
"The secretariat, which is the only addressee, will, of course, respond to it very soon. However, I've already had the opportunity to quickly communicate with Minister Boiko and express our readiness to meet with him on this issue," he said.
When asked what consequences this issue could cause, Neykov noted there were two basic principles related to this issue.
"On the one hand, I confirm the readiness of the secretariat to concretely discuss Ukraine's concerns, set out in this letter. Secondly, Ukraine, as a member of the Energy Community, of course, has the right to expect support from the secretariat on the issue, which is in the competence [of the EC Secretariat]."
Neykov said that he is "grateful to Mr. Boiko for the letter, as it contains two very important points."
"First of all, we are talking about the goals of Ukraine's accession to the EC Treaty associated with the implementation of European legislation concerning the establishment of a common energy market. Secondly, the letter raises some specific questions that, without doubt, are of practical importance. We are talking about the modernization of the Ukrainian gas transport system, as well as the development of South Stream," he said.
In this regard, Neykov believes that "while putting these questions in the context of the EC, Mr. Boiko clearly notes the important role that can be played during an analysis by a regional discussion, which may formally look like a national one."
"For example, one of the issues raised concerns the Ukrainian gas transport system. Mr. Boiko is absolutely right when he talks about the importance of this system, which extends far beyond the borders of Ukraine and concerns not only the EU, but also some aspects of the EC Treaty. In this context, I would like to point out the fact that the EC has recently intensified its work on the development of the Regional Energy Strategy. Of course, Ukraine is not only invited, but, as a member, it has every right to raise as part of this discussion any issues that may be important," he said.
Neykov reiterated his readiness to discuss Boiko's proposals, "as well as any steps that can be considered as part of the EX and our mandate."
"Simultaneously, we must at least also remember that this issue was discussed and is being discussed concretely in other contexts and, in particular, in bilateral relations between the EU and Ukraine," he added.
While speaking directly about the issue raised in the letter from the Ukrainian minister - South Stream, Neykov said: "In this regard, I would like to repeat what I have said several times on different occasions - the EC does not support any concrete projects related to gas supplies to the region. Thus, we would welcome any concrete development of any projects that could resolve the issue of gas supplies to the region where there's no gas and that can contribute to the diversification and security of supplies where there's already gas."
Neykov also said that the EC requirements "should be taken into account by all parties to the EC when states form their positions with respect to projects, in particular, such as the South Stream project."
