Kazakhstan, Astana, Feb. 21 / Trend A.Maratov /
Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov will visit Kazakhstan in April, a source at the Ukrainian Embassy in Astana told Trend.
"Azarov is expected to visit Astana in April. During the visit, the sides will review progress in implementing agreements reached during a meeting of the two countries' leaders last fall in Astana," the source said.
In particular, the two sides will discuss energy cooperation.
The sides may touch upon the Ukrainian government's decision to raise customs duties on imported fuels and lubricants for manufacturers from the EU counties to 120 euro per ton.
The decision covers fuels and lubricants exported from Lithuania, Poland and Romania, including the Romanian subsidiary of KMG - Rompetrol.
Rompetrol General Director Saduakas Meraliyev said earlier in an interview with Trend that the Ukrainian government's plans cause justifiable concern as Rompetrol supplies oil to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in another interview with Trend, Ukrainian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Oleg Demin said no final decision has yet been made on the issue.
"Our anti-monopoly committee could finish its investigation into the sharp price increase for fuels and lubricants in mid-March. Following this, it will become clear who is to blame for price hikes - importers, or increased prices due to the situation in Tunisia and Egypt," Demin said.
He added that a final decision on the introduction of fees on imported fuels and lubricants will be made only after the data of the Antimonopoly Committee is reviewed.
He also said that in late 2010-early 2011, the prices at gas stations in Ukraine soared to European levels, he said.
Sixty percent of the Ukrainian fuel market is occupied by imported oil products, mainly from Poland, Lithuania, Belarus and Romania.
"The 60-percent level is a threat to the Ukrainian market and domestic fuel producers. Ukraine's own refineries can cover the requirements of Ukraine twice over," he said.