Gazprom chief Alexei Miller and Germany’s authorized representative on Ukrainian gas transit, Bernhard Graf von Waldersee, have discussed the relationship between the company and Ukraine from 2020 during a meeting in St. Petersburg.
Miller indicated that before a new transit contract can be signed, a number of principally important matters must be resolved, the company said in a statement. “Firstly, the legal disputes between Gazprom and the Ukrainian side must be resolved. This entails the mutual waiver of legal claims and the cessation of legal proceedings between Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy with respect to contracts for the supply and transit of Russian gas, and the restoration of the balance of the two parties’ commercial interests. This also entails a reversal of a decision by Ukraine’s Antimonopoly Committee to levy a fine against Gazprom for allegedly misusing its monopoly position in the Ukrainian gas transit market and a restoration the company’s property rights in the country,” Gazprom said in a statement.
“The second important matter is Ukraine’s preparedness for substantial purchases of Russian gas after 2020 and determination of the volumes of such purchases. The Ukrainian side’s decision directly affects the throughput capacity of the Russian gas transport system, which Gazprom must maintain on the border with Ukraine,” the statement said.
Furthermore, within implementation of the European Union’s Third Energy Package in Ukrainian legislation, it is imperative to provide for the genuine independence of the national regulator and create a certified independent gas transport operator, the Russian company said. “If the Ukrainian side will not be able to finish this work by January 1, 2020, Gazprom is prepared to extend the existing transit contract for a transitional period consistent with current market terms,” the statement said.
