KIEV, April 23 – Organizing the search for gas and oil and other mineral deposits is a key task of the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said while introducing newly appointed Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Eduard Stavytsky in Kiev on Monday.

"The issue of the search for and production of resources, first of all refers to natural gas, oil, and other mineral deposits, [and it] is very important to us. We have to carry out a great deal of work from the viewpoint of drawing investments to this sphere, as well as finding serious partners," he said.