In order to become a transit route in the energy sector, Serbia wants to enable gas from different countries to pass through its territory, as well as to connect interconnectors with all neighboring countries in the region, said Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlovic.
Minister Mihajlovic said that the good news for Serbia is that there are two gas supply routes, regardless of the fact that both routes deliver gas from the same source. But it is good to have two routes, since there is often a problem of gas transit through Ukraine. The diversification of gas sources will bring lower prices for residential consumers, but also for industrial consumers, who currently have the highest gas prices in Europe. Speaking about the Balkan Stream gas pipeline, she pointed out that it is important to complete all compressor stations, so that the gas pressure would be enough for the gas to reach where it is needed, which should be completed by the end of the year. She also expects that the Serbian Energy Agency (AERS) will work on making space so that gas from sources other than Russia can be transported through the pipeline.
According to her, the gas interconnection with Bulgaria gives the possibility for gas to reach Serbia from other suppliers, such as gas from Azerbaijan, but also gas from Israel which will come to Greece via the future EastMed pipeline. There is also a possibility to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipped overseas.
Minister Mihajlovic pointed out that Serbia, as well as in transport, should be a transit route in energy as well. Serbia’s position is such that it is neither big nor rich, but we border a large number of countries and it should use that by building interconnectors and allowing the natural gas market to open here.
