President Viktor Yuschenko asks the Cabinet of Ministers to by July agree with Russia on gas supplies from 2009.
This is disclosed in the presidential annual report to the Verkhovna Rada and people published in the Uriadovyi Kurier governmental newspaper of May 16.
"It is necessary to define optimal balance of gas and price for 2009 and later period. I ask the government to continue talks with Russian partners to sign exact and transparent agreements not later July," the report reads.
The president said that issue's major priorities for Ukraine are minimum and predictable price for the imported gas, transparent and direct relations with international partners, and efficient, profitable work of Naftohaz Ukrainy national joint-stock company.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, First Vice Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov hopes to complete talks with Russia on gas supplies to Ukraine from 2009 by September.
Ukraine and Russia intend to sign long-term contracts on gas delivery to Ukraine and its transit to Europe for the period of over 10 years.
