KIEV, March 14 - Kiev and Moscow's gas negotiations are a matter separate from the negotiation process searching for a cooperation format for Ukraine and the Customs Union, President Viktor Yanukovych said.

"As for the gas negotiations, they are separate from the negotiations over a format for relations with the Customs Union countries. These negotiations are underway in a separate working group at the level of Gazprom, ministry of fuel and energy, and Russian companies that engage with these issues," Yanukovych said at a joint press conference with Latvian President Andris Berzins in Kiev on Thursday.