Vitaliy Klychko's UDAR party is demanding that a moratorium on the privatization of Ukraine's gas transport system be observed.
The party’s press service has announced that a temporary reduction of the price of Russian gas at the expense of Ukraine losing control over the system, gas distribution networks, and other sectors of critical importance to the country’s national security is unacceptable.
"In fact, this is the betrayal of Ukraine’s national interests. This is why the UDAR party warns all agencies of authority against making decisions that lead to the betrayal of the national interests," a statement issued by the party says. Its authors point out that any loss of control over the gas transport system would mean "turning our state into an appendage of Gazprom in selling gas to Europe." "The gas pipe will serve the interests of Russia, not Ukraine," they say.
UDAR points out that Ukrainians have not consented to the authorities "surrendering interests." "According to surveys, only 5% of citizens are prepared to agree to a merger of Naftogaz [Ukrainy] and Gazprom, 3% to the sale of the gas transport system to Russia," the party says.
UDAR takes the view that if the authorities are not in agreement with the 2009 gas deal, it has to be disputed in international court.
"However, in order for the current authorities to be heard in the world, they have to fundamentally change their behavior within the country and adhere to the requirements of the world community. In particular, rejecting political repressions [and] infringements on the freedom of citizens, [and] conducting honest elections," the statement says.
The party suggests that Kyiv host a high-level international conference on issues involved in the modernization of Ukraine’s gas transport system, in Ukraine meeting its obligations as a member of the European energy community, and in attracting European money for the system’s modernization.
