The European Union will finance two feasibility studies for upgrades to Ukraine's gas transit system, the president of the European Commission said.
The Soviet-era gas transit system crossing Ukraine transports 80 percent of the Russian natural gas bound for Europe. Gas supplies are vulnerable to diplomatic rows between Kiev and Moscow, however.
Kiev is looking to update its transit system in part to secure international financial support and to solidify its reputation as a gas transit nation.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in Brussels that Europe stood behind Kiev in terms of energy.
"We now expect Ukraine to move forward on the implementation of the gas sector reforms," he stressed in his statements.
Barroso added that the European community was financing two feasibility studies for modernization of the gas transit network, noting that Ukraine will remain an important energy partner "provided long-term and stable transit conditions can be found."
Moscow has said a merger between Russian energy company Gazprom and Ukraine's national utility Naftogaz would help allay many of the concerns over the gas transit sector. Opposition leaders in Kiev, however, say the merger would move the country too close to Russia.
The Soviet-era gas transit system crossing Ukraine transports 80 percent of the Russian natural gas bound for Europe. Gas supplies are vulnerable to diplomatic rows between Kiev and Moscow, however.
Kiev is looking to update its transit system in part to secure international financial support and to solidify its reputation as a gas transit nation.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in Brussels that Europe stood behind Kiev in terms of energy.
"We now expect Ukraine to move forward on the implementation of the gas sector reforms," he stressed in his statements.
Barroso added that the European community was financing two feasibility studies for modernization of the gas transit network, noting that Ukraine will remain an important energy partner "provided long-term and stable transit conditions can be found."
Moscow has said a merger between Russian energy company Gazprom and Ukraine's national utility Naftogaz would help allay many of the concerns over the gas transit sector. Opposition leaders in Kiev, however, say the merger would move the country too close to Russia.
