BERLIN
Ukraine and Russia agreed on an important cornerstone on gas supply for a winter package, the Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Energy said on Friday.
At a European Commission press conference in Berlin, the VP of the European Commission, Günther Oettinger, confirmed that intensive talks took place on the gas supply between Russia and Ukraine.
"We agreed on important cornerstone for a winter package. We believe that this is an interim solution to secure gas supplies this winter until next spring," he said, adding that the parties now have to consult their governments.
Oettinger noted that Ukraine is committed to paying its outstanding invoices and transfering $2 billion by the end of October to the Russian partners, Gazprom and that the Commission will file for a respective guarantee with the International Monetary Fund.
He said Ukraine will transfer another $1.1 billion to Russia by the end of the year. "By the end of October there will be $2 billion, by the end of December $1.1 billion, so in total $3.1 billion will be paid by Ukraine to Russia."
Oettinger noted that as part of the winter package, all new gas supplies from Russia should include a binding gas price of $385 for 1,000 cubic meters for the next six months.
He expected an agreement early next week which could be followed by a last trilateral meeting with ministers and CEO's of the gas companies, adding, "there is a high probability that all ministers and myself will sign the draft by the end of next week."
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said they have prepared a winter package for a period of six months, stressing that gas will only be supplied if prepayments have been made.
www.aa.com.tr/en
