Ukraine optimistic over electricity transit through Belarus

Kiev remains optimistic over the transit of the Ukrainian electricity through Belarus to Lithuania. This issue was discussed during the recent meetings between Alexander Lukashenka and Victor Yuschenko. It was planned that a relevant agreement would be signed in May. The Kiev-based weekly Delovaya Stolitsa writes that Ukraine has managed to make just the first step towards its dream -- to access the energy market of the Baltic states. In late May, the sides signed an agreement on the shipment of the Ukrainian electricity to Belarus till the end of 2009.

Ukraine's deputy energy minister Oleg Bugayov maintains that "the contract with Minsk opens a gateway for us towards the Baltic markets". After Ukraine starts selling electricity to Belarus, the second stage of the agreements -- the transit to Lithuania -- will be implemented. 

Minsk has made no comments yet regarding the transit of the Ukrainian electricity to Lithuania.