The creation of a consortium to manage the Ukrainian gas transport system (GTS) with the attraction of gas suppliers and European consumers for 50% minus one share would remove many risks to gas transit via Ukraine to Europe, despite the fact that the idea is something of a broken record, Ukraine Energy and Coal Industry Minister Volodymyr Demchyshyn has said.

"When I speak about the operator, I speak about the operator who would not have any relation to ownership rights, which would balance the system, coordinate actions between producers, importers, suppliers to Europe – it will be the manager of the system, the operator," Demchyshyn said at the 13th international forum "Fuel and Energy Complex of Ukraine: The Present and the Future," held in Kyiv on Tuesday.

He said that many participants could be involved in the consortium, while Ukraine's share should be 50% plus one share.

"We are the owners of the system, Europeans who will be buyers of gas and suppliers are needed to load the system effectively and operate it. However, not only Gazprom could be a supplier, Turkmens or Kazakhs could be suppliers," he said.

He said that if there are many participants, a combination which would satisfy the interests of all participants could be created.

"Ukraine has 50% plus one, the next 50% could be divided between four or five participants who will guarantee the effective use of the system," Demchyshyn said.

He said that there is no concrete concept at present, not even a working concept.

The Energy and Coal Industry Ministry, jointly with national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy and Ukrtransgaz, has prepared a presentation and sent it to the European Commission to start the process, Demchyhsyn said.

He added that some European participants have positively accepted these proposals.