The agreement on Russian natural gas deliveries that was signed by the previous government does not correspond to the current Ukrainian legislation for a range of reasons, Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov has said.
"The current situation on the market has changed, that’s why the basic agreement and the gas price formula require reconsideration. In addition, Ukraine joined the European Energy Charter and adopted a law on the gas market.
Correspondingly, the international, legal and domestic legislative basis ken into account when agreements on deliveries and transit of gas were signed and fulfilled has now changed. Because of this, the agreement that was concluded by the previous government does not correspond to the current legislation of Ukraine," Azarov said while opening a government meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday.
The gas market will be among the issues due to be discussed at a session of the Ukrainian-Russian committee for economic cooperation, the prime minister said.
"First of all, we will confirm to Russian partners our explicitly expressed positions that we cannot be happy with the current agreements on gas supplies to Ukraine," the prime minister said.
Changes in the circumstances cannot be ignored, Azarov said.
"A compromise must be sought, and given the renewed level of mutual understanding and mutual trust with Russia, I am convinced we will find a compromise," the Ukrainian premier said.
The tripartite talks between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on gas cooperation look promising, Azarov said.
"Such cooperation is a guarantee against risks related with Russian natural gas supplies to Europe which had serious heating problems during the 2009 winter season because of the actions by the previous Ukrainian authorities. Today the current authorities and the current legislation guarantee that this will never happen again," the prime minister said.
The tripartite cooperation can become long-term and productive, "if we decide on gas quantities to be consumed by Europe over the next two decades, quantities to be supplied by Russia and quantities to be transited by Ukraine," Azarov added.
