OREANDA-NEWS. September 04, 2009. The price for Russian gas transit via the territory of Ukraine can be increased by 65-70% in 2010. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko announced on opening the Government’s sitting.

 “From January 1 the cost of transit of the Russian gas via the territory of Ukraine to Europe will rise. In fact, it is first significant increase of price for transit over 18 years – by 65-70% depending on the oil price”.

Yulia Tymoshenko informed that Ukraine and Russia strictly stick to the signed agreement on supplies and transit of gas: “Having signed the contract we haven’t had any failures for over 8 months… Both sides, Ukraine and Russia, are convinced there won’t be traditional rows in gas area for Christmas and everything will go easy on the basis of the current contracts”.

The Premier reminded that the parties had agreed that Ukraine would consume a lower amount of natural gas: 33 billion cu m in 2009 and 27-33 billion cu m in 2010. “There won’t be any punitive measures for Ukraine not taking full amount of gas, and the statements aired in media owing to certain political provokers that allegedly the fine will be paid at the account of reduction of price for Russian gas transit over the territory of Ukraine are far from truth”.

In addition, Yulia Tymoshenko stressed during her trip to Poland dedicated to marking of the anniversary of the Second World War start she had held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Russian Volodymyr Putin and discussed issues of preparation to the sitting of Ukraine-Russia Committee on Economic Cooperation slated for October.

In particular, the parties see huge perspective in the direction of joint development of aviation branch in Ukraine and Russia. “I am convinced it will be the basis for crucial decisions that are to be taken during the sitting of the economic committee,” Yulia Tymoshenko emphasized and added issues of passenger and cargo conveyance and cooperation in nuclear power domain would also be tackled.