Minister Zorana Mihajlovic said that Serbia wants to enable gas from different countries to pass through its territory.
It also wants to connect interconnectors with all neighboring countries in the region in order to become a transit route in energy, as it is already in traffic, the Ministry of Mining and Energy announced.
“For now, the good news for Serbia is that there are two gas supply routes, regardless of the fact that there is one supplier on those roads. But it is good to have two routes, since there is often a problem of gas transit through Ukraine. What is very important is that we try to diversify our suppliers as well, because that allows the price of gas, especially for the population, to be lower than it is today, as well as for the economy,” said Mihajlovic in an interview for Radio Free Europe (RFE).
Speaking about the Balkan Stream gas pipeline, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that it was important to complete all compressor stations, so that the gas pressure would be enough for the gas to reach where it is needed, the Ministry of Mining and Energy said in a statement.
“I expect it to be this year. I also expect that the Energy Agency will work on making space so that other gas can come through that gas pipeline,” says Mihajlovic.
According to her, the gas interconnection with Bulgaria gives the possibility for gas to reach Serbia from other suppliers, and the tender for the selection of contractors for that project is expected at the end of January.
“This gives us the opportunity for the gas of some other suppliers to come through that gas pipeline, both gas related to Azerbaijan and a completely new gas pipeline that has been talked about for several years, the Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline coming from Israel, and through Cyprus, Crete, Peloponnese Athens, Thessaloniki and Sofia could reach Nis. Nis should be the center when we talk about gas, which can also be used to make a gas pipeline to Pristina, to Montenegro, just as it can be made from Vranje to Northern Macedonia. That is what is standing somewhere in front of us and there is no reason not to join such a single gas pipeline,” says Mihajlovic.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that Serbia, as well as in transport, should be a transit route in energy as well.
“Our position is such that we are neither big nor rich, but we border a large number of countries and we should use that by building interconnectors and allowing the natural gas market to open here. The opening of the natural gas market means that, in addition to the traders who will come, we can have other suppliers, and it also means a lower price of gas for the final consumer,” says Mihajlovic.
She adds that Serbia also wants to gasify faster and build gas power plants.
“We essentially need gas and, in addition, we are a transit country. My position is that we need to make room for everything – and for the LNG that will come by ship, but also for some additional gas suppliers that may appear here,” explained Mihajlovic, B92 reports.
