"Having a trillion cubic meters of [gas] reserves, we produce only 20 billion cubic meters a year. Our goal is to reverse the trend and to bring the level of production to 27 billion cubic meters in five years. This is the money which we will not pay for the import, from which we will get rent, and which will create new jobs," Demchyshyn said, as quoted by the ministry's press service.
Demchyshyn added that the ministry was planning to re-submit the plan to increase natural gas production in Ukraine, including changing the legislation in the area, to the government.
According to the minister, the Ukrainian Cabinet has previously rejected the plan.
Earlier this month, Demchyshyn said that Kiev considered it necessary to hold trilateral talks on the gas delivery price with Russia and the European Commission.
