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Russia, Ukraine Move Ahead With EU Talks to Avert Supply Cut

Tatiana Vorozhko

   This story originated in VOA's [1]Ukrainian service. Some information
   is from Reuters.

   Representatives of the European Union, Ukraine, and Russia have
   concluded a first day of talks in Brussels with "constructive" dialogue
   as they aim to extend Kyiv's gas transit contract with Russia, European
   Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Thursday.

   Ukrainian energy authorities are worried Moscow could stop supplies
   through Ukraine when the current contract expires Jan. 1, possibly
   leaving some parts of the country without gas in winter.

   "We addressed one by one all key areas, namely how EU energy rules have
   to be reflected in the legal frame in the future contract; what should
   be the appropriate duration of the contract; necessary volumes and
   flexibility; [and] how we should approach the traffic setting,"
   Sefcovic said at a press conference immediately after the long-awaited
   talks.

   According to Sefcovic, all parties agreed a future contract would be
   based on EU law, and that Ukraine's Naftogaz should be unbundled, which
   would create a new third-party company to handle the transit of gas
   through Ukraine.

   He also said all parties agreed to resume ministerial-level talks
   before the end of October, and that lower level representatives from
   companies involved in the contract development will continue
   negotiating the details of Thursday's general agreement.

References

   1. http://ukrainian.voanews.com/

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