Arseniy Yatsenyuk appealed to European partners to reach direct relations with Ukrainian companies dealing with gas transit

"Ukraine is a powerful transit country. We will ensure transit, and appeal to the European partners to enter into direct relations with Ukrainian companies dealing with transit of gas," said Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk during an opening ceremony of the 12th meeting of the Ministerial Council of Energy Community in Kyiv on Tuesday, September 23.

"It is contained in the Third Energy Package and we all need that - to have direct relations and direct obligations. Ukraine is ready to meet all the commitments signed between the EU and Ukraine", - said the Head of Government.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk noted that a new type of weapon emerged in the world, which is energy: "I think that our common goal is to make energy a source of development instead of being a mechanism of pressure".

He stressed that energy dependence is a huge challenge not only for Ukraine but also for EU member states and the countries that ratified the Third Energy Package: "We understand that Russia is still one of the key suppliers of natural gas to Europe, the EU and Ukraine. But we understand that if we act together, if we are united and create transparent market rules - none, including Russia, will use natural gas as a weapon against our economies and our countries."

"I am convinced that together with the EU countries, with members of the Energy Community we will establish new transparent market rules. We will do everything in power to ensure independence in energy issues for our countries, to ensure energy efficiency, and guarantee all types of security, including energy security, for our people," - said Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

Moreover, the Prime Minister has also reminded that a few months ago Ukraine offered the Russian party "a purely market-based approach" on gas supplies, however, the Russian side rejected it: "Ukraine has filed a lawsuit against the Russian "Gazprom", and we are expecting the court’s decision, but it takes time. We will solve this problem in synergy with the European Commission - it should be a common approach and a joint decision".