Economy Ministry surprised by EU gas plans, but Poland supports Ukraine

Economy Minister Janusz Steinhoff expressed surprise that Poland learned from press sources about European Union (EU) plans to double its natural gas imports from Russia. "As an EU-associated country Poland should be informed about such issues sooner", said Steinhoff. He added that Poland has declared its interest in developing gas and oil transit on numerous occasions, but it does not want this to infringe anybody's interests. He clearly had Ukraine's interests in mind, since the EU gas lines will avoid Ukraine, which is currently the major transit country. Long before the EU announced its plans, Russia offered Poland participation in a new pipeline bypassing Ukraine. Poland firmly refused, since Ukraine is one of its strategic partners. Yesterday Steinhoff assured that this has not changed and said that he cannot imagine a situation in which Poland will have to choose between the Ukraine and the EU. He added that Poland plans to take an active role in settling the dispute. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 24) T.J..