[b]Rz: Next week, the meeting of the representatives of Poland and Russia on amendment of the gas contract will be attended also by a representative from Brussels. Will it be helpful in negotiations? [/b]
Waldemar Pawlak: Participation of a representative from the European Commission can accelerate the dialogue. In today’s conversation with Minister Sergiej Szmatko, I had an impression that the Russian party is entirely open and doesn’t have initial reservations. I can see intentions to discuss the current terms and find a compromise. It is important for us to prepare quickly such a version of the gas contract that it could be accepted in possibly the shortest time and within the scope agreed earlier with the European Commission.
[b]Russian press quotes unofficial statements of the representatives of Gazprom, who criticize the plan of handing over supervision of Yamal pipeline to Gaz System. Is it not a sign that talks could be harder than it seemed a few days ago?[/b]
It is very important for us to explain directly, with the participation of the EC representative, all issues connected with changes to the contract and appointment of the operator. It’s not important if we select one company or another, what’s crucial is that it must ensure appropriate gas and acceptable, effective transfer. That’s why, from the business point of view there is no problem, and there is a potential for consensus. If someone wants to see this matter from the political viewpoint, actually we can hear opinions that someone else has built the gas pipeline and the profits are earned by someone else.
[b]The appointment of the operator means for the Russian party an attempt to divest the Russian company of its privileges. Gazprom, with the 27 billions of cubic meters of gas per year sent to Germany, is afraid of the increase of transit fees. [/b]
