The European Union is ready to establish a tripartite consortium with Ukraine and Russia to manage the Ukrainian gas transportation system, subject to certain guarantees, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski has said.

"The EU will be ready to this, but we need transparency and certain guarantees," Tombinski said on the TVi Channel on Thursday evening.

In this context, he noted the importance of there being proper business environment and investment climate in Ukraine, as well as a crackdown on corruption.

"These are the preconditions for European businesses to be willing to participate in this consortium," the European diplomat said.

Tombinski also stressed that the Ukrainian gas transportation system was national property and it was up to Kyiv to ask the European side to participate in the future management of the system.

"Europe is ready to join in these talks, but we certainly have to give certain guarantees to the European companies on behalf of the EU concerning participation in such a tripartite consortium to manage the Ukrainian GTS," the ambassador said.

He added that there should be a joint commitment of the parties to accept a certain package of agreements, which, in particular, may provide for the use of the pipeline in reverse mode.

"If such conditions are ready, then I think that Ukraine's absolute strategic position will change. If gas goes from west to east and from south to north, it will be a huge change. And Ukraine will benefit most from this situation," Tombinski said.