Trilateral Talks Over Summer Package Start In Brussels
European authorities started on Friday the series of trilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine to reach a deal on a summer package. In the negotiations in Brussels, anticipated by Naftogaz’ transfer of additional $15 million to Gazprom for March supplies, the parts will discuss the new conditions. Amid constant tensions between Kiev and Moscow, European authorities hope to clinch a deal by June.
On Wednesday, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Gazprom’s Alexey Miller convened that Ukraine will not benefit anymore of the $100 per Tcm discount, adding that the decision will be political. In this way, Ukraine should pay around $348 per Tcm.
‘The issue of granting a discount falls within the competence of the Russian Government. All the other terms and conditions of gas supply to Ukraine are totally regulated by the existing contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine and addenda to it’ reads a note released by Gazprom.
Meanwhile, Ukraine joined Horizon 2020, eighth phase of EU's Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development. Doing so, Kiev will try to increase cooperation with the European Union in science and research.
“Ukraine's great research and innovation potential offers promising partnerships for Europe. And Ukraine will now have access to the full spectrum of activities funded under Horizon 2020, helping spur its economy’ the European” Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, wrote on the European Commission’s website on Friday.
Almost at the same time, presidents of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan met to discuss the development of the Eurasian integration process.
“We agreed to continue coordinating our monetary policy. I think the time has come to discuss the possibility of creating a future currency union. Working shoulder to shoulder, it is easier to respond to financial and economic threats from outside and protect our common market” Russian President Vladimir Putin commented.