Maria Knyazeva. The European Commission confirms that the telephone conversations on gas issues Between the EU Commissioner for energy Gunter Oettinger and head of the energy Ministry of Russia Alexander Novak moved to Monday, July 7, said Last news EC spokeswoman Sabine Berger.

first it was planned to conduct a phone meeting on the last working day of the week, July 4. However, on Thursday the Commissioner of the press service of the Russian Department said Last news that dialogues , on one of versions, will be held on the first day of the week. She explained that the reason why the negotiations are of technical nature.

" Currently, they are scheduled for Monday, " he agreed Berger.

About planned on Friday talks July 1, said the head of the Russian energy Ministry. As said Novak, during the telephone conversation the sides have plans to discuss issues related to South stream, the provisions with the pumping of gas into underground storage facilities and to supply European customers, and also to come to a common opinion On a personal meeting.

The European Commission hopes to build another trilateral Ministerial meeting on gas issues in the format of Russia-Ukraine-EU before summer vacation, in which the EC is August.

" Gazprom " after long and fruitless negotiations with 16 June translated Ukraine for advance payment for gas because of its multi-billion debts. Novak said that the Russian Federation is ready to continue the dialogue with Kiev only after payment of the debt. Ukraine, represented by energy Minister Yuriy Prodan with own side informs that are ready to extinguish debts only when reaching a batch agreement with Russia, which would be agreed on the price for gas.

sections: Politics