REUTERS
The parties discussed the signing of an interconnection agreement between the GTS operators of Ukraine and Russia on standard European conditions.
National Joint-Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine says the European Commission, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation have held technical consultations as part of preparations for the next round of trilateral talks on transit shipments of Russian natural gas through Ukraine after January 1, 2020.
The consultations were held in Brussels on Monday, October 22, the company's press service said.
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The parties discussed Ukraine's progress in implementing European legislation and creating an independent gas transmission system (GTS) operator. In addition, they considered the signing of an interconnection agreement between the GTS operators of Ukraine and Russia on standard European conditions, as well as the procedure for the formation of gas transmission tariffs, etc.
The next stage of the trilateral talks is expected to take place on October 28.
As UNIAN reported earlier, trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the European Commission regarding the future of Russian gas transit via Ukraine after 2019 were held in Brussels on September 19, 2019.
Vice-President of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic said the negotiations saw a positive and constructive atmosphere. He announced the next round of talks was scheduled for the end of October 2019.
The negotiations are focused on the following: how to reflect EU energy rules in a future framework agreement; the proper duration of the future contract; necessary volumes with possible variability; and gas transit rates.
Russia's gas giant Gazprom in the course of talks on September 19 for the first time allowed the possibility of concluding a contract in line with European rules from January 1, 2020, if they are fully implemented in Ukraine before the end of this year.