Maintaining safe gas transit through Ukraine, expansion of cooperation with gas suppliers that are alternative to Russia are priorities for Germany, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office Michael Roth has stated.

"Russia will continue to play an important role as a gas supplier. It is expected that Germany in the medium term will need Russian gas. However, we consider the political problems of our partners in Europe, take this matter seriously. Therefore long-term security of gas transit through Ukraine and expansion of cooperation with other supplier countries are important priorities for us," he said at the conference "The situation in the Energy Union" organized by EurActiv in Kyiv.

The minister said more than 95% of oil and over 90% of gas used in Germany are of foreign origin. Due to this the key to reliable energy supply to the country is the diversification of suppliers and routes of energy supply.