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Ukrainian experts continue gas talks in Moscow

Kiev and Moscow have not yet coordinated key parameters in talks on gas, Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said on Wednesday

KIEV, December 21 (Itar-Tass) — Kiev and Moscow have not yet coordinated key parameters in talks on gas, Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov said on Wednesday.

He noted that on Tuesday a next round of talks between the two countries’ leadership was held, as a result of which “a next step was made towards bringing positions closer”. The dialogue proceeds with difficulties, as at the moment “we have the contract that is extremely disadvantageous for us and extremely advantageous for Russia,” the prime minister said.

“We are looking for a positive solution, want to find reliable legal wording that would be a long-term foundation for the development of our economy,” Azarov explained, adding that in any case the decision will be a compromise one.

“A whole range of issues is being discussed and coordinated. Including the amount of gas to be pumped, prices and the setting up of a gas transmission consortium,” the prime minister said.

“We have left in Moscow a group of high-level experts led by Energy Minister Yuri Boiko and Justice Minister Alexander Lavrinovich,” Azarov reported. “Economic development of Ukraine and parameters of the next year’s budget will depend” on these decisions, he stressed.

Azarov added that in case an agreement is reached within the next few days, the Ukrainian government will meet for an extraordinary session “to consider necessary decisions as a set, including the draft 2012 budget”.

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