UPDATE 2: Russia, EU, Ukraine to draw up gas transit roadmap

(rewrites through)

BERLIN, Jul 17 (PRIME) – Russia, the E.U. and Ukraine have agreed to draw up a roadmap of gas transportation after 2019, when the current contract expires, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday.

The E.U. and Ukraine earlier advocated prolongation of Russia’s gas transit contract with Ukraine beyond 2019. Ukraine also spoke against Russia’s Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline project.

Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, who participated in the meeting, said that solution of the issue is important for the peace process in the east of Ukraine.

The official said that Nord Stream-2 was not discussed in detail during the consultations.

European Commission Vice President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic said that the EC has suggested an expert discussion of gas transit with Russia and Ukraine in mid-September and a renewal of the talks on the political level in October.

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