KIEV, Sept. 1 - European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic has called for re-launching the trilateral format of negotiations on gas between the European Commission, Ukraine, and Russia.

"In the past, this forum has proven its usefulness: it is better for all to sit down together around one table. Russia as an exporter, Ukraine as a transit country and the EU as the main importer share a common interest of predictability. The trilateral format remains the most suitable for discussing gas supplies for the upcoming winter heating season," the European Commission Delegation in Kiev quoted Sefcovic as saying in a statement on Thursday.

Apart from visiting Kiev on September 2, Sefcovic also intends to meet with Russian officials, it said.