CERNOBBIO (Sputnik) – Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters earlier in the day he could meet Sefcovic late September to early October.
“There certainly will be dialogue, its date is a technical matter. But also it would make sense to meet when there are positive decisions. We are after all awaiting decisions including on Opal. The European Commission is generally ready as far as we know, but we would like more precise information from the European commissioner,” Dvorkovich said on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti economic forum.
The deputy prime minister told reporters the meeting could take place as reported on September 11-12 if Brussels confirms its willingness to grant Gazprom access to Opal before September 10.
The restrictions are outlined in the European Union’s Third Energy Package which reserves the other half for independent gas suppliers.
Gazprom has sought access to Opal’s capacity for years, but Novak said negotiations were virtually forced to restart due to the change in European Commission leadership in late 2014.
