23 October 2010, 12:21
Cooperation in the Gas Sector should be considered in the Framework of Relations with Russia
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, made this statement in the interview to Rada television channel. Asked whether the price for the Russian gas would increase or fall in the results of the sitting of the Ukrainian-Russian Inter-Governmental Committee on the Economic Cooperation on October 27, V.Lytvyn responded: "Should the price for gas increase, the Ukrainian Party would not call for revising the agreement on cooperation with Russia in the gas sector signed by the former Government."
He reminded that the Government, as well as The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, considered this agreement as unyielding for Ukraine, "even if the annual discount totals USD 4 billion." "This is a crucial issue," the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed. He supposes that this issue should be considered in the framework of relations of Russia, lest gas turns into a political commodity.
The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine highly appreciated recent stabilization of relations with Russia, and elimination of ideological discrepancies that annoyed both the politicians and the public. He stated that the circulation of goods between Ukraine and Russia was expected to total USD 40 billion only the current year, whereas last year, it amounted to USD 15 billion only. "Today, we should discuss the use of the economic capacities of Ukraine and Russia," V.Lytvyn stressed. However, he admitted that no debates, consultations and agreements would take the issue of economic competence off the table. "To the contrary, I believe that economic competition will grow, as our domestic capital is far behind the Russian," V.Lytvyn claimed. He believes that the Ukrainian authorities should seek parity in the relations, striving for the positive outcome of bilateral cooperation. "Now the situation is as follows: the Russian party is offering something, which we reject, failing to express our own opinion on the organization of collaboration," the Head of the Ukrainian Parliament stressed.
"The obstacles should be removed, while the economic cooperation should grow. It requires a well-grounded stand and ability to negotiate. The Russian party is naturally protecting the national interests of its country. Thus, we should develop our own viewpoints to pass mutually beneficial resolutions," V.Lytvyn summed up.