BRUSSELS, March 19 – The European Commission has reiterated its willingness to join the development of the trilateral gas transportation consortium of the EU, Ukraine and Russia.

"We can only repeat what we have said many times. The EU wishes, if Ukraine and Russia wish so, to enter into tripartite consultations on the gas transit at any time. The commission also stated many times that it is ready to assist in the formation of a possible trilateral consortium," the European Commission said, commenting on the statement by Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov that the establishment of such a consortium depends only on the EU.

In addition, the European Commission said that it is already facilitating the formation of such a consortium through fulfilling the conditions of European and international law, including the Energy Community Treaty.