Statement on the implementation of the Binding Protocol on gas delivery from the Russian Federation to Ukraine for the period from 1 October 2015 until 31 March 2016
The Binding Protocol was initialled
on 25 September 2015 in Brussels by the Ministers of Energy of the Russian
Federation, Ukraine and myself. I welcome the fact
that the Heads of State of Ukraine and the Russian Federation reconfirmed the
terms and conditions of the Binding Protocol in the framework of the Paris
Normandy Four meeting last week.
Today, in view of this endorsement, I have called on
the Ministers of Energy of the Russian Federation and Ukraine to start
implementing the agreement without delay. This becomes even more urgent due to
the approaching heating season and the need to further increase the Ukrainian
underground storages before the end of October. The immediate implementation of
the agreement is necessary to secure gas deliveries to the Ukrainian consumers
as well as safe transit to the EU.
I remain confident that the Parties will
stick to their commitments made in the Binding Protocol. At the same time, the
European Commission will continue its role as the facilitator to ensure a
smooth implementation phase.
European Commission