Ukraine worried about Russia-EU energy talks

Ukraine hopes that the planned global energy agreement between Russia and the EU will cover energy transportation, in which Ukraine plays a key role, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko told reporters at the media forum “Ukraine on the world information map.”

“The European Union wants to sign a global energy agreement with Russia. Apparently, this agreement should answer the questions that have not been answered by the European Energy Charter, which has not been ratified by Russia, Yushchenko said, adding that Ukraine would like its position to be respected in this or a similar agreement.

“We are speaking about the possibility of joining the project to transport gas from the Caspian Sea to the Caucasus, the Black Sea, Ukraine and further to Europe. We also welcome the signing of a separate agreement between Kazakhstan and the European Union,” the Ukrainian head-of-state said. This is a sign of “certain optimization of the wholesale energy market” in Europe over the past few months, he added. “Ukraine welcomes this process, and it will be in the midst of it due to its important role in terms of energy transportation,” Yushchenko said.

The energy agreement is part of a new partnership deal between Russia and the EU, which is also expected to cover trade and human rights issues. Negotiations on this agreement have not yet started. Poland refuses to lift its veto on the start of the talks.

It insists that Russia should first ratify the Energy Charter, opening its energy market to foreign companies. But Moscow says the Charter must be amended and replaced by a new agreement. Russia signed the Energy Charter back in 1998 but it has not ratified it. (Source: www.rbc.ru)