President Viktor Yushchenko has confirmed in the interviews for the German media Ukraine's interest in integrating the Ukrainian gas transmission system with the European one.
"We are sure that forming of this kind collective interest - is the best position for future use of the Ukrainian GTS," he said, UKRINFORM reported.
At the same time, according to Yushchenko, particular principles of forming a common European gas market, the role of supplying, transit and consuming countries should become a subject for detailed discussion.
"We stand for diversification, for implementation of those principles that would keep Ukraine's sustainable participation in forming the European gas market," the Head of State noted assuring that "Ukraine would be honest, open and reliable in these processes".
The Ukrainian President also stated that the Ukrainian GTS is kept in a proper condition, but its modernization will let significantly increase gas pumping to Europe.
Such modernization should run on a mutually beneficial economic basis, he believes. "The question is not about gifts. The matter concerns a mutually beneficial economic basis of cooperation in terms of technological refreshment of the GTS. This will be one of the components of the summit to be held on March 23," Yushchenko underlined.
President Yushchenko called this event the most important in energy cooperation with the EU over the past three years.
As UKRINFORM reported, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has today left on a two-day working visit for Brussels (Belgium) to meet there European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and other leaders of the European Union. Apart from this, on March 19, Yushchenko will take part in the summit of the European People's Party in Brussels.
