KIEV, June 26 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Boyko to work out a plan of development for the network of Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities and the modernization of the gas transportation system by November 2013 to enable the creation of a gas hub in the country.

"The development of a network of Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities and the modernization of the GTS can play a key role in the strategic stability of the European energy market. This is a large long-term project, which is challenging both technically and politically," he said opening a government meeting on Wednesday.

"We should start its practical development, taking into account first of all the national energy strategy. I charge Deputy Prime Minister Boyko with working out the concept of this continental project and presenting it by the summit in Vilnius (planned for November 2013)," the prime minister said.