Ukraine's opposition supports partial privatization of the national natural gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy, a former energy minister said Wednesday.
Yuriy Boyko, who has served as energy minister and as head of Naftogaz, said that partial privatization is needed to provide "predictability and financial stability" to the company, which is pivotal for the country's gas import, production and distribution.
Boyko, a leading opposition party member, cited Russia's OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS), in which the Russian government holds controlling stake, as an example to follow.
However, he said that privatization of Naftogaz would be hardly possible in the current political climate in Ukraine, as the current government of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko strictly opposes to "any privatization in the energy sector."
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko announced Wednesday the dissolution of parliament, following the collapse last month of Ukraine's pro-Western coalition government.
Prior to the dissolution of parliament, Boyko was head of the energy committee.
Boyko is a member of the main opposition, Party of Regions.