The introduction of the gas market that will enable domestic consumers to choose a supplier of gas independently requires settlement of three key issues - to eliminate the monopoly of the state energy holding Naftogaz of Ukraine, to monetize subsidies and to increase the living standards of citizens. The Government works strenuously in this direction. This statement was issued by Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion during a meeting with Janez Kopač, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat.

 According to the Vice Prime Minister, the free market is formed where there is no monopoly. Therefore, it is impossible to immediately liberalize the gas market until the extraction, transportation and storage of gas are concentrated in Naftogaz.

Unbundling process of the state energy holding Naftogaz of Ukraine, namely the separation of the company's gas transmission activities is one of the main requirements of the Third Energy Package.

«We have already created an independent operator of the Ukrainian gas transportation system - PJSC Trunk Pipelines of Ukraine. The plan for corporate governance of this company was approved, the issue of its financing was solved, and the selection of independent directors was kicked off. Questions of transferring of assets of Ukrtransgaz to the new operator of the GTS as well as acquisition of license and certificate are still to be addressed. This will all be done after the Stockholm arbitration», Volodymyr Kistion assured.