Polish President Lech Kaczynski did not fly to Kiev, Ukraine today as intended, but sent his closest representative Michal Kaminski instead to meet Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Slovakian President Ivan Gasparovic in an informal summit to set up a common gas policy.
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Volodymyr Ohryzko, has stated that the Ukraine is ready to let as much gas flow to Europe as expected by European buyers.
Friday morning, Ohryzko met with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski regarding the gas crisis as well as cooperation on the issue between the two countries.
Sikorski stated that, in terms of the gas crisis, Poland supports a free market solution and is opposed to any institutionalized monopolies. He added that Poland’s main aim in the European Union is to work to diversify energy sources for the benefit of consumers.
Friday’s visit was meant to include President Kaczynski. However, he decided at the last minute this morning that he will send his representative, Kaminski. The decision was announced as being in the best diplomatic interest of Poland.
Thursday evening, following Wednesday’s personal meeting between the two heads of state in Wisle, southern Poland, Kaczynski and Yushchenko spoke on the telephone regarding the European Commission’s work to resolve the gas crisis.
The President’s Chancellery reports that, in the phone conversation, Yuszchenko assured Kaczynski of his position as a reliable partner in assuring a swift end to the gas crisis with Russia. (mmj)