MOSCOW - Russia is ready to resume talks with the European Union in the energy dialogue format, to discuss, in particular, Russian natural gas supplies to Europe through its south, but the EU is not yet in a hurry on this issue, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters.
“Our position is simple. If the Europeans need gas, we are ready to supply it, just let us know via which route. If there is an EU initiative [to hold talks over Russian gas supplies to southern Europe], we will definitely discuss,” he said.
“We are ready to resume the energy dialogue. Unfortunately, the European Commission has been delaying this issue, despite our agreements at the beginning of last year. The European Commission promised us that it would send its proposals on how to adjust the format of this energy dialogue, but has not done so yet,” the minister said.
It was reported that Greece, Bulgaria and a number of other countries are interested in transiting Russian natural gas. Russia would like to revive gas transportation projects such as South Stream or Turkish Stream but no agreement on these issues has been reached with the EU.
