Naftogaz Continues Pushing for Opening of Interconnection Point with Slovakia

Ukraine’s Naftogaz welcomed Eustream’s declarations reiterating that the present set-up of gas flows management ‘at one of the region’s most crucial interconnection points’ is not in line with EU standards.

‘Naftogaz … supports Eustream’s suggestion to engage the concerned parties in development of an action plan that would bring the situation in compliance with the EU rules that regulate gas network usage’ the Ukrainian company wrote on Friday.  

According to Naftogaz, setting the interconnector matter right involves signing a standard interconnection agreement, approved by the European Commission, between Ukrtransgaz, the Ukrainian TSO, and Eustream.  

‘The present situation is unacceptable under current EU energy and competition regulations. It damages the ability of Ukraine and eight additional European countries to freely buy gas in Western European markets. By controlling this principal interconnection point, Gazprom ensures its dominant position as supplier of natural gas in these markets”, Andriy Kobolyev, CEO of Naftogaz.

Earlier this week, Naftogaz told Natural Gas Europe that Brussels should take a more active role in the contracts involving Slovakian, Ukrainian and Russian companies.