Polish Briefing: Naftogaz talks about the privatization of gas pipelines. The Poles stay silent

What goes on in Poland on the 2nd of January.

Naftogaz talks about the privatization of gas pipelines. The Poles are silent

Naftogaz argues that it is talking with a number of investors about the takeover of shares of the gas transmission system in Ukraine, including the Americans. Poles do not declare themselves in this matter.

CEO Andrey Kobolev informed on Radio NV that Western companies, including one from the United States, showed interest. It is about taking over 49 per cent of the shares of the gas transmission system operator over the Dnieper. As a result of the ownership unbundling of Naftogaz, a company responsible for this form of activity arises.

However, the fate of the reform is not certain, despite the fact that its continuation is a condition for maintaining the financial assistance of the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission. Kobolew admitted, however, that talks between the Ukrainian government and potential investors took place without the participation of Naftogaz’s representative. They are run by a special working group. Despite the general support of the unbundling, executive acts necessary for its implementation were still not implemented.

Potential interested in taking over shares in the Ukrainian GTS appeared in the past at the Polish Gaz-System, which provided an expert support to Ukrtransgaz, which is a subsidiary of Naftogaz responsible for the management of gas pipelines. However, the uncertainty of reforms over the Dniepr and the upcoming presidential elections that may change the course of Ukrainian politics mean that Poles do not declare themselves in this matter.