"The world practice saw examples where such negotiations were conducted for years, and results were achieved during the day. We still measure the duration of negotiations for months, but expect that we will soon agree," Azarov said commenting on the progress in gas consortium negotiations.

Ukraine offers Russia to give guarantees of transit supplies: for example, pumping 150 billion cubic meters of gas annually for 10 years through our territory, and the EU - guaranteeing the purchase of this volume. "Without one of the three partners we will not create gas consortium. And since there are three partners, consequently, everyone has own interests and the negotiating process is thus complicated," the head of government stressed.

Commenting on the proposal of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to merge the Russian Gazprom and Naftogaz of Ukraine, Azarov said: "It was no joke. The process of creating transnational associations is typical of the global economy. Only in Ukraine it is artificially politicized," he explained.

"But I always stress that everything should be counted based on one "iron" principle: how it meets the strategic interests of Ukraine," Azarov emphasized.

The Prime Minister said that Ukraine has held several rounds of negotiations with Russia and the European Union. The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted the law on gas market, which is a key condition for the EU, which urges to make Ukraine's gas market and the Naftogaz system transparent.

"By the way, the system of Naftogaz was closed not only to international auditing, but also for our own government! Neither the former President, nor the Cabinet were familiar with those agreements, which Tymoshenko signed in January 2009. When we took the office, we finally found these documents. It is really difficult to realize how Ukraine could sign such an agreement, as it is economically dangerous for the country," the Ukrainian premier underscored.