The approval of the law to reform Ukraine's gas transportation system is paving the way for official talks to begin with companies from the EU and the U.S. that are interested in working with the system, Ukraine's national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy said in a commentary.
Naftogaz said it intended to begin official talks soon with the
operators of gas transportation network concerning their participation
in managing Ukraine’s system.
The company added that according to a document approved by the
Verkhovna Rada on Aug.14, an agreement on the gas transportation
system’s management can be signed only after the Verkhovna Rada’s
approval.
“The approval of this law is an important step that will allow [us]
to lower the risks in transporting gas on the territory of Ukraine that
have arisen due to an aggravation of Russian-Ukrainian relations,”
Naftogaz’s press service quoted Naftogaz Ukrainy CEO Andriy Kobolev as
saying.
He said bringing in leading western companies to manage Ukraine’s gas
transportation system will help the country completely integrate into
the united European energy space. Kobolev added that under the
circumstances that have arisen, this is the best way to protect
Ukraine’s energy interests.
“It is important that the main consumer of Russian gas – the EU – be
confident in the reliability of transporting natural gas for years to
come. This is a significant step on the road to building a system of
energy security for Europe,” he said.
Kobolev added that according to the law, the Ukrainian gas
transportation system will remain in state ownership. “And all business
processes will be structured according to European standards. This will
make the Ukrainian gas transportation system transparent and
understandable for western partners,” he said.
