KIEV, Oct. 31 - Ukraine is in talks with the European Union over modernization of its natural gas pipeline system moving Russian gas to markets in Europe, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytskiy said Thursday.

“We are in a normal and constructive dialogue with the European Energy Commissioner, and with our potential partners, investors for the modernization,” Stavytskiy said in an interview with Unian news agency published Thursday. “It gives me great confidence that we will achieve the maximum acceptable result for our country.”