Brussels, 20/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - Before a meeting in Brussels on 19 June 2008 with Ukrainian energy minister Yuriy Prodan, EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs told Ukrainian press agency Ukrinform that the political situation in the Ukraine did not influence the EU's energy cooperation with the former Soviet state: “No political issues influence our cooperation and the Ukraine-EU energy cooperation is long-term and fruitful.” Ukraine has applied to join the Energy Community of which the EU is a member. Piebalgs refused to comment on the prospects of EU involvement in the building of the White Stream gas pipeline from Turkmenistan in the Caspian Sea region to Poland via Georgia and Ukraine. “Everything depends on Ukraine on the issue,” said Piebalgs, adding that the construction of the Nabucco gas pipeline was a priority for the European Commission today. (E.H./transl. fl)