Expert reiterates importance of free market

Economic analysts warn that Belgrade should not sacrifice free trade in exchage for Russia’s support over Kosovo. After a meeting yesterday between Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and President Boris Tadic with officials from the Russian Gazprom, it was reported that the company was interested in participating in a series of activities in Serbia. Expert reiterates importance of free market Among the ideas are the privatization of the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS), the development of a natural gas transport route known as the South Stream pipeline through Serbia, and the potential construction of underground gas storage depots, all as "a single project." Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said that the Russian giant has an excellent chance in the tender for NIS because Gazprom, unlike all its competitors, has the resources and ability to distribute oil to Serbian refineries. Vuk Djokovic, of the Center for Advanced Economic Studies, told B92 that Gazprom’s interest in the Serbian energy sector was linked to Russian support of Serbia’s position on Kosovo status, and that Moscow expected support from Belgrade in making significant moves on the European energy market. Djokovic said that it was good that such a large company as Gazprom was showing interest in Serbia and the Serbian energy sector. “However, this question needs to be looked at carefully and we must clearly define what it means to have a pipeline and gas depots in Banatski Dvor and what privatizing NIS means,” Djokovic said. “I am against the formation of any type of monopoly structure. Therefore, the privatization of NIS, which will take place first, has to be open as far as the market is concerned,” Djokovic said. Tadic and Kostunica said that it was in Serbia’s best interests to establish cooperation with Gazprom, and in that way, become an energy leader in the region. Gazprom is the world’s largest gas company, owns the richest deposits of natural gas and possesses 17 percent of the world’s natural gas supplies, worth close to USD 140bn.

Expert reiterates importance of free market

Among the ideas are the privatization of the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS), the development of a natural gas transport route known as the South Stream pipeline through Serbia, and the potential construction of underground gas storage depots, all as "a single project."

Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said that the Russian giant has an excellent chance in the tender for NIS because Gazprom, unlike all its competitors, has the resources and ability to distribute oil to Serbian refineries.

Vuk Đoković, of the Center for Advanced Economic Studies, told B92 that Gazprom’s interest in the Serbian energy sector was linked to Russian support of Serbia’s position on Kosovo status, and that Moscow expected support from Belgrade in making significant moves on the European energy market.

Đoković said that it was good that such a large company as Gazprom was showing interest in Serbia and the Serbian energy sector.

“However, this question needs to be looked at carefully and we must clearly define what it means to have a pipeline and gas depots in Banatski Dvor and what privatizing NIS means,” Đoković said.

“I am against the formation of any type of monopoly structure. Therefore, the privatization of NIS, which will take place first, has to be open as far as the market is concerned,” Đoković said.

Tadić and Koštunica said that it was in Serbia’s best interests to establish cooperation with Gazprom, and in that way, become an energy leader in the region.

Gazprom is the world’s largest gas company, owns the richest deposits of natural gas and possesses 17 percent of the world’s natural gas supplies, worth close to USD 140bn.