Path to European price

Gazprom and Naftogaz returned to the negotiating table

Official Russian-Ukrainian gas negotiations have resumed in Moscow. Yesterday, the Naftogaz of Ukraine delegation, armed with the published directives of Viktor Yushchenko and oral instructions from Yulia Tymoshenko, spent the entire day at Gazprom. Against the backdrop of an alarming statement for Kiev by Central Asian gas suppliers about their intention to raise prices to European levels starting next year (see yesterday's issue of Vremya Novostei), contacts took place in a calm atmosphere. As representatives of Gazprom and Naftogaz told Vremya Novostey, the negotiation process proceeded in a normal manner and will continue today.

According to unofficial data, the companies have already resolved issues with gas supplies in January-February, including the problem of fuel of Russian origin consumed but not contracted by Naftogaz. And now the main topic of negotiations is a new gas supply scheme for Ukraine (starting in March) and the terms of long-term cooperation, taking into account the price intentions of gas producers from Central Asia. As you know, on the eve of the visit of the Naftogaz delegation to Moscow, the heads of Turkmengaz, Uzbekneftegaz and Kazmunaygaz came to Gazprom and informed Alexey Miller that “based on the interests of national economies, taking into account international obligations to ensure reliable and uninterrupted supplies energy resources, from 2009 the sale of natural gas will be carried out at European prices.” This year, Gazprom is purchasing Central Asian gas at $130-$160 per thousand cubic meters, which allows it to be resold at the Ukrainian border for $179.5.

With current prices for Russian gas in Europe, Ashgabat, Tashkent and Astana can count on their revenues to increase to 200-220 dollars per thousand cubic meters, and the price on the Russian-Ukrainian border will inevitably rise to at least 240-250 dollars.

In Kyiv, meanwhile, the first comments from high-ranking officials appeared regarding the likely increase in prices for imported gas for Ukraine. “The big question is adapting to the new gas price, and we must be prepared for these things - whether in the form of a national reserve, or in the form of the formation of self-sufficient budgetary relations,” President Viktor Yushchenko said yesterday, noting that “all these issues we need to diversify."

“For now, before the completion of negotiations, I think it is too early to talk about a sharp increase in prices since 2009,” Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said cautiously. “Next year we need to hold negotiations, we need to assess the possibilities of negotiations both with Russia and with the countries of Central Asia.” At the same time, she expressed confidence that Kyiv will maintain the current price this year. “We really need to get stability in the natural gas supply system. Now we can say that for this year we will still maintain the price of $179.5 per thousand cubic meters. In the best case scenario, we will get this price, and there is no reason for this price to be increased,” the prime minister believes. True, in order to maintain prices during the transition from supplies through RosUkrEnergo and Ukrgazenergo, as the presidents of Russia and Ukraine agreed in February, Gazprom and Naftogaz must create a joint venture that would secure the participation of the Russian concern in the distribution of imported gas to Ukrainian market. Namely, Yulia Tymoshenko vehemently opposed this agreement, which paralyzed the negotiation process between the companies a week ago.

At the same time, Naftogaz announced the possibility of increasing the tariff for storing gas in its underground storage facilities if the price of Central Asian fuel rises. Press secretary of the Ukrainian state holding Valentin Zemlyansky told RIA Novosti that this topic is not on the agenda yet. But he added: “This is a matter of negotiations. I think this (possible tariff increase. - Ed. ) should find understanding among our partners.”

Alexey GRIVACHS