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Russia, EU to resume efforts in energy dialogue within month — Russian energy minister

The EU countries would discuss their cooperation with Russia in the energy sector at a conference of their foreign ministers on January 19
Alexander Novak Iliya Pitalev/TASS
Alexander Novak
© Iliya Pitalev/TASS

MOSCOW, January 14. /TASS/. Russia and the EU will resume efforts in the field of energy dialogue within a month, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Wednesday after a meeting with the European Energy Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic.

He said they had discussed the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project, as well as other problems related to natural gas and the power engineering industry.

Sefcovic said on his part the EU countries would discuss their cooperation with Russia in the energy sector at a conference of their foreign ministers on Monday, January 19.

He reaffirmed that on Monday EU foreign ministers will gather in Brussels for a meeting to discuss the current status and prospects for developing Russia-EU relations. Sefcovic also voiced hope that the sides will peaceful decision soon.

EU prepared to consider Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller's offer of 50-60 bcm of Russian gas in Turkey, he said.

Gas supplies to Ukraine

As for gas supplies to Ukraine, Russian Energy Minister called creation of new document for “summer package” of Russian gas supplies via Ukraine inexpedient.

“We don’t see the point of preparing a new document for April, since the current agreement, the so-called winter package, actually reflects the conditions of the existing contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz. What is meant here are the current deliveries, the financing schedule, prepayments, that is all the conditions, which one way or another are spelled out in the existing contract,” Novak said.

"We don’t see the point of signing a new document that does not imply any new debt redemptions just yet,” the minister said.

Novak added that the arbitral court will take the decision on the remaining debt for Russian gas supplies to Ukraine.