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RF ready to consider Ukraine GTS modernisation proposals

The Russian side had earlier proposed to Kiev to create a bilateral consortium to manage the Ukrainian GTS

NICOSIA, December 13 (Itar-Tass) — Russia is ready to consider proposals on the modernisation of the Ukrainian gas transportation system (GTS), RF Energy Minister Alexander Novak was announced on Wednesday at a press conference on the results of the 7th meeting of the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council on Energy (PPC) that was held in the capital of Cyprus. Taking part in the meetings were EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger and Neoklis Silikiotis - Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus that currently holds the EU presidency.

“The issue of the Ukrainian gas transportation system modernisation was on the agenda of the meeting,” the minister said in an interview with Itar-Tass. “We proceed on the basis that we have today a working contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine. If the Ukrainian GTS modernisation is necessary, Russia is ready to consider such proposals. But it so far has not received such proposals.”

The Russian side had earlier proposed to Kiev to create a bilateral consortium to manage the Ukrainian GTS. Ukraine, however, continues to insist that this association should be tripartite and the EU must participate in it. On December 5, Acting Prime Minister of Ukraine Nikolai Azarov at a government meeting complained that the EU “has displayed no activity in the issue of the modernisation of our oil and gas industry, in particular, GTS.”

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