Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico has told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that his country can increase the capacity of the Vojany-Uzhgorod gas pipeline by up to 14.5 billion cubic meters per year starting from March 1.
“In fact, we are reaching 1/3 of your domestic consumption,” Fico said during the meeting, the president’s press service reported.
He stressed that the strategic task of the two countries was to preserve transit between Ukraine and Slovakia.
Poroshenko expressed his gratitude to the Slovak premier for his efficient cooperation in the energy sector.
“Reverse gas supply via Vojany-Uzhgorod launched on Sept. 2 with your assistance and it has proved its efficiency,” the head of state said.
Poroshenko added that the increase of the gas pipeline’s capacity by up to 40 million cubic meters per day starting from January 30 fully meets Ukraine’s requirements.
“We are interested in the immediate launch of great reverses from Slovakia,” he said.
He added that he believes the establishment of a large gas hub on a market basis with the “Visegrad Five” (Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine), which was negotiated in Bratislava in November 2014, fully meets the interests of all the countries in the region.
“We would appreciate it if Slovakia and Hungary accelerate putting into operation of the given gas pipelines,” Petro Poroshenko said, adding that he would be willing to discuss the issue with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban when he visits Ukraine.
