ISTANBUL, October 22. /TASS/. Novatek is holding talks on supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Turkey, company CEO Leonid Mikhelson told reporters on the sidelines of the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum.

"So far, everything is still at the discussion stage," Mikhelson said.

Earlier at the forum, the Novatek CEO urged Turkey to sign long-term LNG supply contracts.

"Turkey has always taken a well-considered approach to ensuring its own energy security, unlike Europe. Turkey has never faced a shortage of physical supplies. Unfortunately, however, the crisis has also affected the Turkish economy. Spot energy supply contracts are always linked to exchange prices, and this has resulted in enormous additional costs," he noted.

"Even before all the crises, when the spot market was just beginning to grow, we always advocated maintaining long-term contracts. I am confident that this is particularly relevant for Turkey right now," Mikhelson stressed.