French Ambassador: France May Join Ukrainian-Russian Gas Consortium

France is interested in participating in the international gas transport consortium, according to French Ambassador to Ukraine Philippe de Suremain. Speaking at a press conference in Kiev yesterday, the ambassador said that France's leading gas company Gas de France is awaiting an invitation from Moscow, Kiev and Berlin to joint the majority of the consortium's projects. The ambassador stressed that the gas transport consortium was of Europe-wide importance and, in Paris' opinion, the majority of European states would find a place in it.

Ukraine and Russia are expected to hold a range of consultations on April 7 regarding the expediency of other countries joining the gas consortium.