OSCE Chairman-in-Office encouraged by agreement on gas supplies between Russia and Ukraine
(Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht is OSCE's Chairman-in-Office in 2006. (Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Photo details
BRUSSELS, 4 January 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, said today he was pleased an agreement had been found between the Russian Federation and Ukraine over the future supply of gas.
"Russia as a supplier and Ukraine as a country of transit both play an important role in providing Europe with energy. The signing of this agreement shows that the two countries are responsible partners, which is encouraging," the Chairman-in-Office said.
"I'd like to repeat that a predictable, reliable and economically acceptable energy supply, based on a sound commercial and environmentally friendly base, is essential for the whole of Europe. In this respect, this agreement is more than welcome," he added.