KIEV, September 2 (Itar-Tass) —— The gas supply contracts Russia and Ukraine concluded in 2009 run counter to several provisions of the intergovernmental agreement, ratified by the Ukrainian parliament and the State Duma, which entered into force in 2004, Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov told the media on Friday.
He said Ukraine had asked Russia to hold talks on gas supplies to clarify the scope and conditions of its transit in 2012.
“The Ukrainian government has sent a letter to the Russian government, in which it presented its arguments at the negotiations on the gas issue,” said Azarov. “In accordance with the intergovernmental agreement of 2004 we have every reason to suggest holding in Russia negotiations to clarify the volume of gas supplies in 2012 and the terms of delivery and transit of gas. “
Azarov said that the letter contained arguments to the effect that in accordance with the intergovernmental agreement the annual volume of gas supply, transit terms and prices shall be determined by special inter-governmental protocols.
“Unfortunately, since 2005, this provision having the force of an international agreement, which is superior to business contracts and domestic legislation, has never been observed,” the prime minister said.
Azarov said Ukraine believes that the contract that was signed in January 2009 during the premiership of Yulia Timoshenko contradicts at least that part of the intergovernmental agreement which relates to the annual revisions of agreements. “Therefore, Ukraine has every reason to invite Russia to hold such talks,” said Azarov.
He expects that the presidents of Ukraine and Russia Viktor Yanukovych and Dmitry Medvedev will discuss gas issues at the meeting of the Council of the CIS Heads of State in Dushanbe. Azarov voiced the hope that during that meeting, “this issue will be raised again.”