REPRESENTATIVES of Eustream and Ukrtransgaz will meet on April 15 in Veľké Kapušany, in eastern Slovakia. The meeting will be attended by representatives of the European Commission (EC), Slovak Economy Minister Tomáš Malatinský and Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuri Prodan, Eustream’s spokesperson Vahram Chuguryan wrote in an official press release.
The goal of the meeting is to finalise the long-held negotiations on the implementation of the new interconnector that would use the Vojany gas pipeline. Eustream is ready to sign the memorandum of understanding, which has long been under preparation with the Ukrainian partners with the assistance of the EC, according to Chuguryan. The document defines the conditions for building a technical solution allowing for the reverse flow of gas to Ukraine.
The other item on the agenda will include the negotiation on the terms and conditions of the interconnection agreement between Eustream and Ukrtransgaz for this new pipeline, Chuguryan informed.
Eustream is prepared to inform the Ukrainian partners about the time schedule of work on the new interconnector with Ukraine that would be able to provide technical capacities for the reverse flow of gas in the direction of Ukraine.
The solution under preparation will assist in securing the diversification of transmission routes for Ukraine and contribute to preserving energy security.
In early April, Russian Gazprom introduced two price hikes for gas supplied to Ukraine, which now pays almost twice the original amount. In response to this, Kiev launched emergency talks with EU neighbours and asked for help with gas supplies.
Ukraine, currently reeling from a deep economic crisis, covers half of its gas consumption with Russian supplies. Relations between Moscow and Kiev have frozen significantly since February, once pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovich was ousted from office by protesters on Maidan (Independence) Square.
“It is not that easy to realise gas supplies to Ukraine from the west and from Slovakia,” Malatinský said, as reported by the SITA newswire, adding that there are several technical specifics that need to be resolved first. Additionally, there is also a problem in terms of contracts, “since this route only serves to supply gas from Gazprom through Ukraine to Europe”
Malatinský asserted Slovakia is ready to help Ukraine, “but we need to do it in such way as to not forget the Slovak and the European interests, because that gas flows to Europe”.
Source: Eustream press release, TASR, SITA
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
