Ukraine will only negotiate energy cooperation projects with other countries on a parity basis, Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko said on Monday.
He stressed that cooperation in the fuel and energy sphere was only possible if Ukraine's strategic interests were taken into account.
"I believe that all the projects that we are currently discussing and implementing with our partners should benefit our country. We strictly follow our president's directives, adhering to the principles of parity in Ukraine's cooperation with its partners," he said.
Ukraine is looking to modernize its gas transportation system together with the EU and Russia, but the Ukrainian opposition is concerned the country would lose control over its pipeline network.
On April 30, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's Naftogaz energy company should be merged with natural gas monopoly Gazprom.
A Putin spokesman, however, said later the move was aimed at the creation of a new company rather than Naftogaz's absorption by Gazprom.
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller met Boyko on Friday to discuss the possible merger, saying a joint venture would be built "on a 50-50 basis."
Last week, Miller said the Russian energy giant may fund the modernization of Ukraine's gas transport system if the agreement on the merger is signed.
Ukraine's gas pipeline system, which stretches over 37,500 kilometers (23,306 miles), includes 71 pumping stations and 13 underground storage units with a total capacity of 32 billion cubic meters.
The system carries 141 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe annually. Russia's gas exports, which totaled 167 billion cubic meters in 2008, are expected to reach 217 billion cubic meters in 2010.
KIEV, May 31 (RIA Novosti)
