
Oettinger assured that the EU stands ready to contribute to the development of the existing infrastructure of gas and oil market and to support the program of modernization of the Ukrainian gas transport system until 2020, if Ukraine meets its commitments.
On top the EU Energy Commissioner stressed the importance of the Ukrainian GTS as the main transit route for Russian gas to Europe. The Ukrainian gas transportation system is the main route of Russian gas to Europe, he said, adding, Ukraine has a unique geographical location and can not only pump, but also preserve and produce energy carriers. Therefore, Ukraine's gas transportation system has a much larger economic market interest; it is a guarantee of future reliability of stable gas supplies to Ukraine and Europe and avoidance of disputes as sometimes occurred in the past, the EU Commissioner underscored.