14:22 18.01.2018

EBRD to retain condition to purchase gas in west in possible new loan to Naftogaz

3 min read
EBRD to retain condition to purchase gas in west in possible new loan to Naftogaz

National joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy if it receives the new loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), even if it resumes gas purchases from Gazprom following the decision of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, would be able to buy gas using the loan only on the western border where there is competition, Managing Director of the EBRD in Eastern Europe and Caucasus Francis Malige has said.

"On the eastern boarder there is only one supplier. No one has there access to the pipeline. In the west everyone has access to the pipeline, because it is free market organized according to the EU. And therefore Naftogaz can actually organize the tender because there is competition among various suppliers," he told Interfax-Ukraine.

He said that in terms if it is Russian gas or another region's gas, he does not care unless there is competition in the buying process.

Commenting on the current financial cooperation with Naftogaz, the EBRD representative recalled that it was three year facility and in third year as been used and managed it needs to be reimbursed. He said that the opening of the new facility will depend on relation of Naftogaz with the Ukrainian government and on the corporate governance progress.

Malige said that it is not enough to create a supervisory board with the majority of independent members and it is not enough that Naftogaz can reform its corporate governance on its own.

"The shareholder plays very important role as well," he said.

KYIV. Jan 18 (Interfax-Ukraine) – National joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy if it receives the new loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), even if it resumes gas purchases from Gazprom following the decision of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, would be able to buy gas using the loan only on the western border where there is competition, Managing Director of the EBRD in Eastern Europe and Caucasus Francis Malige has said.

"On the eastern boarder there is only one supplier. No one has there access to the pipeline. In the west everyone has access to the pipeline, because it is free market organized according to the EU. And therefore Naftogaz can actually organize the tender because there is competition among various suppliers," he told Interfax-Ukraine.

He said that in terms if it is Russian gas or another region's gas, he does not care unless there is competition in the buying process.

Commenting on the current financial cooperation with Naftogaz, the EBRD representative recalled that it was three year facility and in third year as been used and managed it needs to be reimbursed. He said that the opening of the new facility will depend on relation of Naftogaz with the Ukrainian government and on the corporate governance progress.

Malige said that it is not enough to create a supervisory board with the majority of independent members and it is not enough that Naftogaz can reform its corporate governance on its own.

"The shareholder plays very important role as well," he said.

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