EU and Ukraine failed to prove economic attractiveness of Odesa-Brody project, Kazakhstan ambassador says

September10200820:03

Kazakhstan’s Ambassador in Ukraine Amalgeldi Zhumabayev declared that his country is prepared to implement a number of projects in Ukraine on condition they are profitable. Kazakhstan, he said, is interested in the Odesa-Brody oil pipeline project, but neither the EU nor Ukraine has proved its profitability for Kazakhstan, the ambassador said, addressing journalists in Lviv Sept.10.

Kazakhstan expects to be given a technical feasibility study report by the yearend. If the project is lucrative, there won’t be any need to attract oil companies – they will come knocking on the door themselves. “In Kazakhstan, 85% of oil and gas is extracted by foreign companies like Chevron. So, the ball is now in Ukraine’s and EU’s court,” the ambassador concluded.

For his part, foreign ministry representative in Lviv Ihor Dovhaniuk noted that the Odesa-Brody project has acquired a political dimension, with the president and premier locking horns over the pipeline’s operation. Leaving politics aside, he said, Kazakhstan will play a major role in the project soon. When Kazakhstan joins the project Ukraine can start pumping oil to Europe.

The Kazakh ambassador underlined that no one can be forced to supply oil for Odesa-Brody. “We in Kazakhstan operate in a free market environment which means that no one can dictate terms to businesses. All trade must be based on the laws common for foreign and domestic companies,” he said.

Comments

08:4311.10.08 DoGooder
- ............ wow ! and I thought Kazakhstans trade is based on the porsonal friendship with one, Nursultan, the Almighty - I am so releived to hear that the His Holyness the Ambassador tells us about laws that are common for foreign & domestic companies.... ask Chevron !