The E.U. has approved holding talks on a partnership accord with Russia, a spokesman for Slovenia, which currently holds the E.U. chairmanship, told ITAR-TASS Wednesday according to Prime-Tass.
The report follows a decision by Lithuania to lift its veto on the talks.
Among other issues, the Russian-E.U. partnership accord is expected to cover the energy industry. The E.U. has urged Russia to give foreign companies access to its oil and gas pipelines, while Russia has been reluctant to do so.