ROME, December 6 (RIA Novosti, Sergei Startsev) - The head of Italian energy giant ENI said Tuesday it would take a long time to conclude a new agreement with Russian energy giant Gazprom to deliver Russian natural gas to Italy.
"I do not see results in the short-term prospect - the talks will be very long," Paolo Scaroni said at a session of Italy's parliament.
Scaroni, who met with Gazprom management Monday, said the negotiations were very complicated and would take time.
In November, Scaroni told journalists the companies would sign a relevant agreement in 15 days.
Italian Industry Minister Claudio Scajola said he would discuss with his Russian counterpart the preparation of the Gazprom-ENI agreement.
Italy is Europe's second largest importer of Russian natural gas. Gazprom has been supplying gas to Italy under five long-term contracts. In 2004, the total volume of deliveries totaled 21.3 billion cu m.
