Agro Perspectiva

Mykola Azarov: Ukraine needs no discounts on gas but we need a fair gas contract

02.09.2011 09:14 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Ukraine does not need discounts on Russian gas but we need a new gas contract concluded on market terms of the cost of hydrocarbons. This was stated on Thursday by the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov during his lecture «The place and prospects of Ukraine in an unstable and changing world» at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. «The Russians told us: join the Customs Union and then you get a certain discount. And we say we do not want discounts, we need a normal gas deal, under which the price of gas that we buy, should not be higher than in Germany - said the Premier. - Germany is located from Russia significantly further than Ukraine, and gas transportation to Germany costs more expensively, and the price for gas for it - more low than for Ukraine. It is paradox». He has pointed out that Ukraine does not want for itself any preferences and wants normal market price of the Russian hydrocarbon. «We say we do not need any discount, let’s together (with Russia) will conclude a normal deal, the same as with any European country», - the Head of Government told. Mykola Azarov has noticed that acting gas contracts are unequal and sooner or later these «enslaving for Ukraine» contracts will be cancelled. The Head of Government has pointed out that Ukraine will continue negotiations with Russia concerning revision of gas contracts 2009. «Despite those statements which are now heard from our friendly which one we appreciate and which we want to build a completely normal equal relations friendly economic integration, we again try to arrange all the same. If it does not take place, then unconditionally, all responsibility for consequences will lay down on those heads who do not want to listen to our arguments», - the Prime Minister noted. Besides, Mykola Azarov has reported that since January, 2012 building of the terminal of a condensed gas will begin."The Government should be responsible. That is why we persistently spread one and a half year the arguments for Russia about necessity of revision of gas agreements. At the same we think of utilization of alternative energy sources - since first of January will begin plant building on a dilution of a condensed gas power of the first stage of 5 billion cubic meters of a condensed gas, the second sequential queue - 10 billion. So there will be an alternative source of gas in Ukraine", - the Prime Minister told. He stressed that the Government also allocates substantial funds for development of domestic oil and gas industry.