Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is convinced that the settlement of the gas issues concerning Ukraine and the Russian Federation requires comprehensive approach.
"It is necessary to establish normal, predictable and pragmatic relations in the said sector", - stated V.Lytvyn in his interview to the journalists on Thursday within the scope of his visit to Pochaiv Lavra in Ternopil region.
He also stated that the price for gas should be established due to the reached arrangements, and with account for possible adaptation of country´s activity to the new prices. "It is quite obvious that certain adaptation is necessary, - stated the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Certainly, this issue will be discussed at the Parliament".
V.Lytvyn stated that he held a conversation concerning settlement of issues in the field of gas supply and transit with Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, Prime-Minister of Ukraine, and Oleh Dubyna, Board Chairman of the national joint-stock company "Naftohaz Ukrainy".
Relying upon the available news, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated that "Ukraine´s image in the European Community was damaged, and the European partners are willing to see predictability, stability and confidence".
Answering the journalists´ questions, V.Lytvyn stated that Ukraine "has totally lost the information war in the gas sector with Russia". "One circumstance can not be settled: is Ukraine taking the gas away or not? Our denials are weak, but the whole world is being persuaded that Ukraine is an unpredictable and unreliable partner. This is very bad", - stressed the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. He also emphasized that the gas matters require "clarity and transparency".
V.Lytvyn also stated that protection of people´s interests is of utmost importance. During the meetings held within the scope of the working visit to the Russian Federation, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized that "Ukrainian citizens should not be held hostage to the tense relations at the level of leaders" of both countries.