Kiev should step up dialogue with Russia and the EU on modernizing the Ukrainian gas transportation system to secure its competitiveness, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Tihipko said on Saturday.
Tihipko has expressed concerns over Russia's plans to build three underground gas storage facilities in Slovakia saying this could pose a threat to the gas transit potential of the former Soviet state.
The deputy premier said Russia's plans to diversify gas transit routes to Europe are Moscow's domestic affairs but Ukraine should be aware that this policy threatens the Ukrainian energy system.
"We need to step up gas dialogue with Russia and Europe. Our arguments are simple - the construction of gas pipelines and gas storages outside Ukraine are economically unjustified," Tihipko said.
"It is cheaper and easier to find a modernization scheme for the Ukrainian gas transportation system which could suit everyone," he added.
Tihipko said the talks between Russia and Slovakia are the result of a stalled gas dialogue between Kiev, Moscow and Brussels.
"Ukraine should be the initiator and the main engine for such negotiations," he said.
KIEV, February 19 (RIA Novosti)
