ID :
206568
Mon, 09/12/2011 - 06:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206568
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Yanukovich begins visit to Turkmenistan to boost energy cooperation
KIEV (Itar-Tass) - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich
begins his official visit to Turkmenistan on Monday to discuss energy
cooperation with the Central Asian republic, the president's press service
said.
Experts in Kiev forecast that an opportunity for the resumption of
Turkmen gas supplies will top the talks' agenda. This issue is extremely
important for Ukraine, which buys Russian gas for about 355 dollars per
1,000 cubic meters and beginning from the fourth quarter of the year it
will pay 388 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. Never before Ukraine paid
such a high price for gas, which forced the country's authorities to take
a course for saving fuel, increasing the country's own gas output and
searching for other sources of supplies.
Earlier, Ukraine expressed interest in resuming the import of Turkmen
gas that it had bought before 2006. Kiev started tackling this problem
especially actively soon after it turned evident that it became more
difficult to fulfil gas contracts signed with Russia by ex-prime minister
Yulia Timoshenko in January 2009. Ukraine's Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov
described the contract terms as enslaving and harmful for the domestic
economy.
In particular, during his visit to Kiev in August Turkmen Deputy Prime
Minister Rashid Meredov focused on possible resumption of gas exports to
Ukraine. Azarov said then Ukraine had been discussing with Russia an
opportunity for the import of Turkmen gas.
Ukraine's Energy Minister Yuri Boiko said on Wednesday his country was
ready to discuss an opportunity for stronger gas cooperation with
Turkmenistan.
"We continuously hold talks with our Turkmen counterparts. Taking into
account Turkmenistan's attempts to diversify deliveries, we are ready to
consider the issue. It is very important for us," he said.
It is expected that on September 12-13 the two countries will discuss
possible participation of Ukraine's companies in tenders for exploration
and development of oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan.
begins his official visit to Turkmenistan on Monday to discuss energy
cooperation with the Central Asian republic, the president's press service
said.
Experts in Kiev forecast that an opportunity for the resumption of
Turkmen gas supplies will top the talks' agenda. This issue is extremely
important for Ukraine, which buys Russian gas for about 355 dollars per
1,000 cubic meters and beginning from the fourth quarter of the year it
will pay 388 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters. Never before Ukraine paid
such a high price for gas, which forced the country's authorities to take
a course for saving fuel, increasing the country's own gas output and
searching for other sources of supplies.
Earlier, Ukraine expressed interest in resuming the import of Turkmen
gas that it had bought before 2006. Kiev started tackling this problem
especially actively soon after it turned evident that it became more
difficult to fulfil gas contracts signed with Russia by ex-prime minister
Yulia Timoshenko in January 2009. Ukraine's Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov
described the contract terms as enslaving and harmful for the domestic
economy.
In particular, during his visit to Kiev in August Turkmen Deputy Prime
Minister Rashid Meredov focused on possible resumption of gas exports to
Ukraine. Azarov said then Ukraine had been discussing with Russia an
opportunity for the import of Turkmen gas.
Ukraine's Energy Minister Yuri Boiko said on Wednesday his country was
ready to discuss an opportunity for stronger gas cooperation with
Turkmenistan.
"We continuously hold talks with our Turkmen counterparts. Taking into
account Turkmenistan's attempts to diversify deliveries, we are ready to
consider the issue. It is very important for us," he said.
It is expected that on September 12-13 the two countries will discuss
possible participation of Ukraine's companies in tenders for exploration
and development of oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan.
