Barroso Hopes Gas Deal Helps To Improve Russian-Ukrainian Relations
By Ria Novosti
The European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, following trilateral gas talks in Brussels, said he hopes that the gas agreement will help to improve the Russian-Ukrainian relations.
“I have hopes that this agreement will have the opportunity to improve relations between Ukraine and Russia,” Barroso said after the trilateral talks.
Barroso also stated that all sides agreed to follow the terms of the contract, as no one will benefit from the new disruptions of gas deliveries.
Russia and Ukraine on Thursday held the final round of gas talks, mediated by the European Commission, to find an interim solution to the standoff over Ukraine’s unpaid gas bills and the price Kyiv will pay for Russian gas supplies during the upcoming winter.
Following the talks, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union signed a so-called “winter package” agreement on gas deliveries, while Gazprom and Naftogaz signed an addendum to the contract, securing conditions for gas deliveries up until March 2015.
Ria Novosti
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