The European Commission is concerned the differences between Moscow and Kiev because of Ukraine’s unpaid debts for Russian gas, but does not intend to intervene in the settlement of this commercial issue, said Director of the EC external relations Gunnar Wiegand.“This is not part of our competence, because it is a commercial dispute between companies of third countries” – he said. It is representative of the European Union executive expressed hope that the parties will soon resolve the existing differences and problems with the supply of Russian gas to Europe would not arise, RIA Novosti. Negotiations with Ukraine for debt repayment and future gas prices are still far from reaching an agreement, said deputy chairman of Gazprom, Alexander Medvedev in an interview with Financial Times. In doing so, A. Medvedev expressed hope that the case could be brought to a conclusion as early as this year. As reported, December 5, pp. d. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said that Ukraine fully pay for its imported gas. But he stressed that Ukraine guarantees the security of transit of gas through its territory, passes RBC-Ukraine. Earlier, on 2 December of this year, Naftogaz of Ukraine has asked Gazprom to adjourn the estimated gas debt for September and part of October. According to the spokesman of the Russian holding company Sergei Kupriyanova, debt for gas deliveries in September, the Ukrainian side has not paid. In turn, press secretary Andrei RosUkrEnergo Knutov said that as of December 2, at the expense of the company NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy “received a total of $ 268.7 million Additionally, RosUkrEnergo said that in addition to the above-mentioned debt According to the contracts, “Naftogaz” is obliged to 31 Dec., 2008 to pay for natural gas supplied by RosUkrEnergo in December. Amount to be transferred to the current month, is $ 862.3 million remind November 25 this year Gazprom and NAK Naftogaz of Ukraine have agreed that the Ukrainian company pay before December 1 this year debt for gas delivered in September 2008, and part of the debt for delivery in October. Earlier, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said that NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy “asks the Gazprom postponement for a few months to settle debts for gas. In early October, Prime Russia and Ukraine signed a memorandum on cooperation in gas sphere, which should form the basis of a detailed agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy. ” It stipulates that from January 1st, 2009, Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine are in the process of direct long-term relations on gas supplies, eliminating thus a scheme RosUkrEnergo (50% – from Gazprom, 50% – From Centragas Holding AG), which is currently the only importer of gas to Ukraine. Memorandum also set a three-year period of transition to market prices for gas deliveries and transit.
