Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said that a proposed project to modernize the aging gas pipeline network in Ukraine should go ahead, but vowed not to cede control of the pipelines to Russia.
The head of state said in an interview with three foreign news agencies ahead of an EU-Ukraine summit that the modernization of Ukrainian gas pipelines was a less costly and more effective alternative to the South Stream gas pipeline project that would transport Russian natural gas under the Black Sea to Bulgaria and other European countries bypassing Ukraine.
Yanukovych insisted that Kyiv was a reliable partner and should not be excluded from energy relations.
"Why did you decide to do without us and ignore us? We believe it’s not what partners do, it’s wrong," he told foreign reporters.
Yanukovych stressed that any possible joint energy venture involving Russian and European investors would not see Ukraine ceding control over its pipelines. He said that Russia had signaled interest in helping modernize Ukraine’s pipelines, but pushed for control of the sprawling network.
"When we talk about creating some joint enterprise, if it is on Ukrainian territory, without a doubt the controlling stake should be on our side," Yanukovych said.
Speaking ahead of the EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels next week, Yanukovych said that Ukraine would continue reforms to deepen economic integration with the European Union and expressed hope that the EU and Ukraine could eliminate visas for each other’s citizens by 2012.
He also said that democracy and freedom of speech were not under threat in the country.
"Have you ever heard me say ‘don’t criticize the president’? You won’t hear that," Yanukovych said.
The head of state also defended the October 31 local elections in Ukraine, saying the vote had technical flaws that will be addressed in future elections, but was democratic and fair.
