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Russia, EU to hold South Stream talks early 2012

“We were told clearly that the EU regards South Stream as an important measure to develop transport infrastructures for the supply of gas to the EU,” Shmatko said

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, December 1 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia and the European Commission at the beginning of next year are going to hold negotiations on the implementation of the South Stream project, Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko told a news conference on Thursday.

“We were told clearly that the EU regards South Stream as an important measure to develop transport infrastructures for the supply of gas to the EU,” he said.

In January-February, according to Shmatko, the two sides are going to consider likely conflicts in implementing this project, as well as the operation of that gas pipeline in accordance with the applicable European legislation,

“It is of fundamental importance to us to see the procedure of gas transition from the trunk pipeline into the system of inter-collectors and what amount of gas will be supplied in each direction,” Shmatko said, adding that the European Commission was prepared to award the trans-border status to this project.

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