IP/08/223

Brussels, Belgium –

Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has welcomed the agreement announced 2008-02-12 in Moscow between Russia and Ukraine to solve the recent commercial gas dispute.

Commissioner Piebalgs said: "I welcome the agreement between Russia and Ukraine for the solution of their bilateral gas dispute. In the framework of our bilateral energy dialogues, I will shortly be in contact with our Ukrainian and Russian counterparts to find out further details of the agreement.

The Commission expects that this solution will establish the basis for a stable and solid bilateral energy relationship which we hope will facilitate the smooth resolution of similar commercial differences in the future".