
Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine on European Integration: Ukraine is a reliable gas supplier and trustworthy partner for Europe
Deputy
Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine on European Integration Natalia
Boyko tackled issues pertaining to the reliability of
the Ukrainian gas transmission system (GTS) and the supply of gas to the
European Union countries in an interview with Channel 5.
The Deputy
Minister informed about the existing situation and emphasized the effectiveness
of the steps taken by Ukraine to resolve it. As a result of the energy
efficiency actions gas consumption has decreased by 14%.
"Gazprom
has once again confirmed that they are unpredictable and unreliable",
Natalia Boyko commented on the relationship with the
Russian gas giant. In this context, she noted that, despite the decision of the
Stockholm arbitration, the Russian partners, contrary to the legitimate
judicial decision of the Court, which has high authority, refused to fulfill
their obligations and reduced the gas pressure by almost 20%, thereby
demonstrating to Europe and the world that they in no way can be considered as
consistent and reliable partners. At the same time, not only the gas pressure
was reduced, but the communication was also severed by the Russian side.
She also
stressed Ukraine mobilized its efforts by convening the crisis committee and
adopting 3 unpopular decisions that yielded results.
Commenting
on relations with the European Union on this issue, the Deputy Minister
emphasized from the first day of the crisis Ukraine had promptly briefed the
Energy Community and offered Brussels to hold consultations.
The Deputy
Minister informed that Ukraine officially appealed to the European Union with a
request to investigate the situation. "We are open to communication and
ready to provide all the information", Natalia Boyko
assured.
Issues
pertaining to the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project and risks
of such crises for EU countries in case of dependence on Russia were touched
upon in the course of the conversation.
The Deputy
Minister placed a special emphasis on preservation of transit potential of Ukraine.
"For us, transit is a security," stressed Natalia Boyko,
noting the importance of preserving for Ukraine a certain volume of gas transit
to European countries. At the same time, she informed the Government is
currently holding consultations with many European partners regarding mutually
beneficial participation in the management of the GTS of Ukraine.