EU Could Lose Ukraine as Transit Country, Says Anatoly Matvienko

“If European Union doesn’t approach the gas transportation system attentively, it can lose Ukraine as a transit country”, head of the Ukrainian delegation to GUAM Parliamentary Assembly Anatoly Matvienko said at the international conference “Establishing relations over the borders” jointly held by the GUAM Parliamentary Assembly and Baltic Assembly in Baku.

The Ukrainian parliamentarian said that EU didn’t approach the gas transportation system attentively and current problems, including the recent “gas problem” forced to attach much attention to the GUAM and Baltic energy security.

“Today Azerbaijan can deliver its hydrocarbon resources to the European markets via Ukraine. Kiev is always ready to work together with Baku in this field”, – Matvienko said.

MP said not depending on what step Azerbaijan will take, Ukraine is ready for the construction of LNG terminal in Odessa.

Ukraine imports 37.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year and using other energy sources, it can reduce gas import to 27.5 billion cubic meters in 2015 and 17 billion in 2020, Matvienko said.

(apa)

[mappress]
Source: apa, October 11, 2011