OREANDA-NEWS. September 19, 2014. The Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Yurii Prodan sent a letter to the Vice-President of the European Commission Gunther Oettinger. The reason is the concern of Ukraine regarding the transit of Russian natural gas via the territory of Ukraine and the Slovak Republic.

The letter of Yurii Prodan reads, the Russian party explains cutting of gas transit volumes via the territory of Ukraine and Slovakia due to the increase of transit of Russian natural gas through Yamal-Europe and Nord Stream pipelines.

The Minister emphasizes the decrease in volumes appear significant and rises concern of the Government of Ukraine, as it can affect energy security of Ukraine and the countries of the European Union as well.

Moreover, in the letter Yurii Prodan appeals to the European Commission with a request to contribute to settlement of the situation which occurred in order to resume and normalize transit deliveries of the Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine and the Republic of Slovakia.

Apart from that, the Minister has asked to consider this issue during the upcoming trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the EU and the RF, and reassured Ukraine has always remained a reliable partner in the issues of Russian gas transit to the European states.