KIEV, Dec. 18 - Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FEU) President Dmytro Firtash has begun negotiations on gas supplies for Ukrainian industry, a source has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"A meeting of the FEU presidium was held on Monday on the initiative of Naftogaz Ukrainy. At the meeting it was decided that attracting alternative gas traders to the Ukrainian market will make it possible to reduce gas prices. The FEU authorized the head of the organization Dmytro Firtash to take part in the negotiation process. Firtash, in turn, supported the view of the meeting participants and has already begun negotiations," the source said.

He did not specify where the negotiations are being held, but said that Firtash planned to discuss gas supplies at lower prices in Turkmenistan, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.