The International Resource Journal: Ukraine Pres. Yanukovych says 2009 gas deal is “biggest problem” Ukraine Pres. Yanukovych says 2009 gas deal is “biggest problem” ================================================================================ Nuala Gallagher on 27 January, 2012 03:12:00 IRJ – January 27 - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych says that the 2009 gas deal for which former President Yulia Tymoshenko was incarcerated over last October remains “the biggest problem in our country today,” according to the Kyiv Post, Friday. Yanukovych made the remark during the eighth Ukrainian lunch in Davos, an event organised by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation. He said that the terms in place under the 2009 accord have hampered in-country social development efforts, and Ukraine is now processing the criminal case regarding Tymoshenko. “These problems were considered in various courts, both in U.S. and Russian courts, and they made legal conclusions on this issue. As for Ukraine, the Ukrainian part of these crimes, which were committed by various people connected with Ms. Tymoshenko one way or another, were not investigated in Ukraine in full, and even more, they were not considered in the courts,” he stated. “Now the time has come when the Ukrainian authorities have began to address these issues, and they will be submitted to the courts in the near future.” His comments come just hours after he confirmed that Kyiv and Baku plan to ink two protocols on energy sector cooperation. He said that as Ukraine continues to weigh up its options for developing the Caspian gas industry, “both as a gas-consuming county and as a country that can participate in the construction of gas transport systems,” it will stage talks with Azerbaijan and Turkey. Also Friday, Yanukovych said that his cabinet remains firmly focused on bridging “Ukrainian legislation into line with European standards and a comprehensive and integrated approach to global reforms,” as part of its plans for EU community integration. https://twitter.com/IRJmagazine