EU set for tripartite energy talks with Kyiv, Moscow
BRUSSELS. Sept 13 (Interfax) - The European Union is prepared for three-party talks with Ukraine and Russia about energy issues, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso said during a Monday press conference in Brussels.
"The EU is ready for three-party negotiations with Ukraine and Russia on energy issues," Barroso said.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich announced the possibility of bringing in other investor-countries, aside from Russia, to the modernization of Ukraine's gas-transport system, with their subsequently being involved in managing it. Yanukovich said an agreement had been struck with the head of the EC on beginning joint work on reconstructing the system.
"We have the intent to invite partners other than Russia, from other countries, and to make the work on the gas-transport system transparent by means of inviting these investor-countries into the system's management," the president said.
As to cooperation in the field of energy, Barroso said Ukraine remains a key partner in ensuring the reliable transit of gas, and also expressed interest in the future modernization of Ukraine's gas-transport system. The European Commission will as early as next week be ready to finance two feasibility studies on this question, he said.