Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Zorana Mihajlovic said today, at a meeting with the head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Sam Fabrizi, that in the process of Serbia’s European integration and the opening of Chapter 15, faster restructuring of Srbijagas is necessary.
“There is no justification for delaying the action plan for the implementation of the restructuring and not submitting it to the European Commission,” said Mihajlovic, the ministry announced.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy talked with Fabrizi, as stated, about the implementation of the green agenda, the improvement of energy efficiency, harmonization with EU regulations, as well as the restructuring of Srbijagas.
Mihajlovic said that mining and energy are of great importance for further economic growth in Serbia and that they can play an important role in increasing GDP, and welcomed the signing of the Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, because the goal is to make the sector green.
“For us, a green agenda and investment in new technologies and green energy is key to the development of a green economy. Especially when it comes to energy efficiency, it is important to harmonize the legal framework with EU regulations and establish a sustainable way of financing this area.”
In addition, he says, for Serbia, energy security and ensuring diversification of routes and security of supply sources are key.
“The project of building a gas interconnection between Serbia and Bulgaria will certainly contribute to that, and I thank the EU for its support in this project,” said Mihajlovic.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the goal is to reform the mining and energy sectors, for the sake of more favorable business conditions and new investments.
“As we did in construction, we want to digitalize these sectors, introduce e-energy and e-mining,” said Mihajlovic.
Fabrizi said that the energy sector is key to achieving Serbia’s green goals agreed with the EU and the region, especially the transition from fossil to renewable energy, the development of greater investment in energy efficiency and energy diversification.
The sector also has huge economic potential, he added.
“The EU and Serbia have a strong portfolio of cooperation in various sectors, including the construction of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector. We have solid and positive results in cooperation with Minister Mihajlovic. We continue to cooperate intensively now that it is in charge of another department,” Fabrizi said, Dnevnik reports.
