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Yushchenko stresses Ukraine's readiness to end gas dispute
Jan 9, 2009, 6:15 GMT
Moscow/Kiev - Ukraine on Friday reassured the European Union of its readiness to restart gas deliveries to western Europe in the ongoing gas spat with Russia.
As soon as Russia ends its delivery ban, Ukraine would guarantee gas transit to the West, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko told European Union (EU) Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in a phone discussion, the Interfax news agency said, quoting sources in the Kiev presidential office.
On Thursday, the Czech EU presidency announced that Russia agreed on conditions for sending an observer mission to control deliveries, however, neither Moscow nor Kiev confirmed the deal.
While the gas shortage affecting parts of Europe at the height of winter continues, frustration is growing in Brussels over the failure of the two countries to agree on the participation of Russian experts in the observer mission.
Moscow expected talks between Russian state-run gas provider Gazprom and its Ukrainian counterpart Naftogaz to continue on Friday.
According to the Itar-Tass news agency there were indications that Gazprom chief Alexei Miller and Naftogaz head Oleg Dubina were to meet in the Black Sea resort town of Sotchi.
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