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Ukrainian PM complains of high cost of gas

In recent months Azarov has been perpetually raising the problem of an "unjust" gas price charged for the Russian gas

KIEV, March 13 (Itar-Tass) — Ukraine has been charged the highest gas price in the world, Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov declared at a meeting with representatives of foreign companies, who are working in Ukraine, on Tuesday.

In recent months Azarov has been perpetually raising the problem of an "unjust" gas price charged for the Russian gas. On Tuesday Azarov mentioned the problem twice. "We are charged the highest gas price in the world. No one pays more than Ukraine does thanks to the notorious agreements that Madam Yulia Timoshenko signed with Mr. Putin," Azarov said. "We buy gas at some 518 dollars per thousand cubic meters; given transportation costs and taxes the price amounts to an absolutely incompetitive level for our industry," Azarov said.

Earlier, during an inspection visit to metro stations being built in Kiev Azarov declared that the existing gas contracts with Russia "have a negative impact on the relations between the two countries». The two sides are to continue the difficult gas talks, Azarov said. " We hope that the understanding of the injustice of the gas contract and its negative impact on bilateral relations and a destructive effect on the economy will eventually prompt our partners to agree to a compromise, “ Azarov said.

Azarov noted that the money Ukraine paid to Gazprom for gas supplied in February 2012 (around 1.3 billion dollars -Tass) would be sufficient to build a new metro line in Kiev.