7 Sep 2011 12:50

Naftogaz and Gazprom will not merge, says Boiko

KYIV. Sept 7 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Boiko has stated that national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy and Russia's Gazprom will not merge.

All agreements with Russia will be made on an equal footing, and Ukraine will not accept the "humiliating" proposition of a merger, the minister said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"Any model could be acceptable, if it is built on principles of parity. No merger of Naftogaz with Gazprom or any other humiliating proposals will be accepted. Civilized work is being done that was begun by several European companies with the review of their contracts by international courts. We are also looking at an option like that, and are preparing for it," Boiko said.