KIEV, April 10 - The transit of natural gas via Ukraine to Europe fell 16.8% to 26.9 billion cubic meters in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period of 2006, Ukrtransgaz, the operator of the Ukrainian gas transportation system, said in a press release.

The reduction in gas transited via Ukraine was the result of unusually warm weather in Europe in the first quarter.

The transit of gas to CIS countries via Ukraine fell 9.1% to 1 bcm in January-March.