Russia, Ukraine and Germany to negotiate gas consortium next month - 25 March, 2003

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko believes that the tripartite meeting of Russia, Ukraine and Germany devoted to the creation of a gas transportation consortium should be held in the second half of April. He voiced his opinion to journalists in the House of Government today. According to him, the reschedule of the date of this meeting, which earlier was planned for the end of March, is due to insufficient preparation of corresponding documents. At this meeting, participants are expected to consider questions concerning Germany's participation in this project. As reported earlier, the international consortium on managing and developing the Ukrainian gas transportation system was registered on January 23, 2003. Naftogaz and Gazprom invested $0.5m each in the charter capital of the consortium.

At present, possible participation of Ruhrgas and Gaz de France in the consortium is being considered.