State-run energy companies of South Korea and Russia have held negotiations on a project to pipe Russian natural gas through North Korea to the South.

In a statement on its Web site, Russia’s Gazprom said it met with top officials of Korea Gas Corporation in Seoul on Tuesday. The statement said the two sides talked about conditions regarding the provision of Russian gas to South Korea.

Gazprom also said the two sides issued various proposals regarding terms of contracts and narrowed differences on key details.

The statement stressed the two sides confirmed their keen interest in the gas pipeline and agreed it is important to quickly reach agreements to get the project off the ground.