Brussels, 23/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - In addition to the modernisation of the Ukrainian gas transport system, the current Russia-Belarus gas dispute was at the heart of discussions between European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger and Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko in Brussels on Wednesday 23 June. 80% of Russian gas for the EU market passes through Ukraine, and Boyko said that his country stood shoulder to shoulder with the EU on this sensitive issue. “We hope that the dispute between Russian and Belarusian partners will end soon. We will do our best to ensure that the EU's energy sector does not suffer in any way and, if necessary, we will help the EU deal with the situation,” he said. Ukraine is ready to increase its supply of Russian gas should this prove necessary. Boyko also spoke to his host about the new Ukrainian law on the reform of the gas sector and brought him up to date on the latest developments on the modernisation of the Ukrainian gas transport system and gas pipelines. The EU and Ukraine, which is about to join the Energy Community, are developing a joint modernisation programme for the Ukrainian gas transport system. On Wednesday, Boyko repeated his country's pledge that the transit system towards the EU would be “the fastest and most efficient possible” to guarantee the supply to EU member states. (E.H./transl.rt)