Ukraine in 2013 will import 30-32.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas from other countries, Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday.

According to him, corresponding figures will be foreseen in the gas balance, which the government will adopt in a package along with the financial plan of Naftogaz Ukrainy for 2013.

"With regard to imports, gas consumption will decrease due to energy efficiency measures. The figure for the chemical industry will be about 8-8.5 billion cubic meters of gas, and that for other industries, including heating companies, 22.24 billion cubic meters of gas," he said.

The minister said that in addition to gas imports from Russia, gas will also be imported from European countries. In particular, from May 15 test reverse gas supplies via Slovakia will start, which will last 7-10 days. Taking into account the results of test supplies, a decision will be taken on the further use of this, the country's largest reverse corridor.

As reported, at present reverse gas supplies to Ukraine are carried out through Poland and Hungary. In early May, Ukraine almost stopped taking deliveries of gas from Russia.