EU supports Ukraine's transit status, but demands reforms
The European Union supports Ukraine in preserving the status of a transit country, but stresses the need for reforms, Deputy Minister of Energy and Coal Industry for European Integration Issues Natalia Boiko said following a meeting with Vice President of the European Commission on Energy Union Maros Sefcovic.
"We have discussed the issue of maintaining Ukraine's status as a reliable transit country, and we discussed all possible actions on our part, the support they can give us. Our position is as follows: Russia is trying to use the Nord Stream as an instrument of political pressure, the situation with the Turkish Stream is the same. Mr. Sefcovic understands and supports us, we are in a constant dialogue," Boiko told reporters in Astana on Monday.
In her words, Europe still makes a number of demands on Ukraine. "They tell us: please, hold the reforms, we are watching you... The ministry, for its part, also continues to work: they will carry out an unbundling, the requirements of the third energy package will be implemented so that our gas transportation system should work according to a new pattern. This is the most important requirement," the deputy minister said.
Boiko also stressed that Europe will take steps to meet Ukraine only if the necessary measures are taken.
According to her, the Ukrainian side is working both with the European Commission on transit issues and bilaterally with member countries regarding their positions on OPAL and the Nord Stream 2 project.
"We will fight for our transit, it is important for Ukraine to maintain its transit, we will negotiate with everyone we need to in order to defend the state interests... At the end of this month we will again be in Brussels, we will again raise this issue unequivocally," the deputy minister added.
She recalled that the reform of Naftogaz Ukrainy will be completed after the final ruling by the Stockholm Arbitration.
"We are very much waiting for this decision, after it we will start active unbundling with the transfer of assets and other necessary measures," Boiko added.