The FINANCIAL — Experts say the current government of Ukraine is passive in the question of diversification of imports of energy resources to the country.
Experts gave their assessment at a press conference at the press center of the Ukrainian News information agency.
According to independent expert Oleksandr Narbut, the absence of practical steps of the current government to resolve the problem with the diversification of supplies accounts for inside resistance within the coalition.
"The major reason is rather tough struggle inside the coalition, although the struggle is hidden from the eyes of public. The struggle is for elements of influence in the energy sector. Interests and interweaving of interests, conflicts of interests do not allow start of practical steps," he said.
In the opinion of Narbut, the implementation of plans on diversification of natural gas supplies requires realization of the Brussels declaration of March 2009 and the liberalization of the gas market.
These steps can lead to a situation when independent producers of natural gas, such as Russian Lukoil, TNK-BP, Nopatek, Itera will be able to supply their natural gas to Ukraine and via the territory of Ukraine abroad.
According to the expert, the project on construction of the White Stream gas pipeline has not lost its expediency. The participation in the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline would also give access to the natural gas from Central Asia.
Oleksandr Todiichuk, president of the Kyiv International Energy Club, also believes that the current government made virtually no practical steps during its first 100 days to lessen the energy dependency of Ukraine and to expand the sources of supplies of energy resources.
"These 100 days have shown that the government has not made well-thought efforts. the current government is even not prepared for defining major trends in its activities," he said.
According to Todiichuk, absence of political will with the leaders of the Ukrainian energy sector is the major reason for the passivity.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, Fuel and Energy Minister Yurii Boiko in mid June said Ukraine expects to establish imports of liquefied gas originating in Azerbaijan through a terminal at the port of Kulievi (Georgia). In April 2010, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Romania signed a memo to construct the terminal.
In March 2010, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine passed governmental resolution No.992 endorsing a plan of measures on the project of supplies of liquefied gas to Ukraine.
The construction of the Ukrainian liquefied gas terminal is estimated at USD 1 billion. The construction will take four years.
It is expected that the construction of the terminal in Ukraine will be financed for funds from the European Union.
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