Today, European Commission Vice-President for the Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič attended
bilateral talks on energy security with the Russian Federation in
Vienna. Russia was represented by the Minister for Energy, Mr Alexander
Novak and the CEO of Gazprom, Mr Alexej Miller. The meeting took place
in a constructive atmosphere and focused on the actions needed to ensure
stable gas supplies to Ukraine and via Ukraine to the EU during winter.
The meeting was also the occasion to exchange views on matters
regarding the EU-Russia energy relations such as energy infrastructure...
The
meeting was held at the initiative of the European Commission and
served to prepare the next round of trilateral gas negotiations between
the European Commission, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Bilateral
talks on energy security with Ukraine already took place on 27 August
2015. Today’s meeting created a solid basis for convening a trilateral
meeting with Russia and Ukraine and to finalise a new package in the
near future. The Commission will propose a date for the trilateral
meeting to the Russia and Ukraine.
Background:
The
European Commission acts as a mediator in the latest round of
trilateral talks that started in March 2015. The Commission aims at
facilitating a new protocol on gas deliveries from Russia to Ukraine for
the next heating season until the end of March 2016. The Commission
remains convinced that a follow-up to the winter 2014 package would
enable all parties to find an acceptable framework for gas trade and
purchase. Securing Ukraine's winter gas supplies is a priority for the
European Commission, as stated by President Juncker in his State of the European Union speech on Wednesday 9 September before the European Parliament.
