"Insider" at launch of South Stream construction

BELGRADE South Stream, and all the consequences of the energy agreement between Serbia and Russia, was recently covered by B92 TV's Insajder (Insider). The investigative program aired a series entitled, "Energy (dis)agreement," which pointed out to all the problems in the realization of this project, and opened a number of questions. "Insider" at launch of South Stream construction The first pipes were welded on Sunday, contracts were signed, and statements made, but many questions remain unanswered. Top representatives of the two countries and of Gazprom were completely separated from reporters during the ceremony, and it was impossible to ask them any questions. Only Srbijagas Direstor Dusan Bajatovic and Gazprom's Aleksandr Siromyatin showed up at the press center. They also have the roles of directors of the Serbian venture set up to build the pipeline stretch in the country. B92: Why have you been selected to speak today, considering that we may have a question for those who make the decisions in this project? Siromyatin: In front of you are two directors of the joint company that actually make decisions, and we wish to say we are glad that the respected show Insajder is following and reading all this that we are doing. South Stream is a very important project for Serbia, which gives it a new gas supply route, an improvement over the present situation where the country is completely dependent on the transit of gas through Ukraine and Hungary. However, as shown in the series, Serbia paid the most for its participation in this project. To be on the route of South Stream, NIS was sold to Russia's Gazprom for EUR 400, with the obligation to invest an additional EUR 500 million, and a right to use domestic oil and gas reserves worth EUR 7 billion. The only domestic gas storage facility was handed over to be managed by the Russian side. Finally, Serbia is the only country on the main route of the pipeline that agreed to be a minority partner and the only that agreed for this project to be managed from the offshore zone. All other countries are equal partners to Gazprom and in all countries companies for the construction of the pipeline were established in their territories. Serbia has already allocated EUR 105 million, although according to the program's investigation, the government does not have complete control over how the money is spent, as the project is conducted from the offshore zone. Instead of answering the many questions, the thesis has been placed in the public that Insajder was bringing down South Stream, with a warning that the Russian partners are unhappy because Serbian journalists are asking questions. At the same time, for months, even on Sunday, Insajder's reporters were not given the opportunity to receive the key answers from representatives of the last three governments. (Tanjug) B92

"Insider" at launch of South Stream construction

The first pipes were welded on Sunday, contracts were signed, and statements made, but many questions remain unanswered.

Top representatives of the two countries and of Gazprom were completely separated from reporters during the ceremony, and it was impossible to ask them any questions. Only Srbijagas Direstor Dušan Bajatović and Gazprom's Aleksandr Siromyatin showed up at the press center. They also have the roles of directors of the Serbian venture set up to build the pipeline stretch in the country.

B92: Why have you been selected to speak today, considering that we may have a question for those who make the decisions in this project?

Siromyatin: In front of you are two directors of the joint company that actually make decisions, and we wish to say we are glad that the respected show Insajder is following and reading all this that we are doing.

South Stream is a very important project for Serbia, which gives it a new gas supply route, an improvement over the present situation where the country is completely dependent on the transit of gas through Ukraine and Hungary.

However, as shown in the series, Serbia paid the most for its participation in this project. To be on the route of South Stream, NIS was sold to Russia's Gazprom for EUR 400, with the obligation to invest an additional EUR 500 million, and a right to use domestic oil and gas reserves worth EUR 7 billion.

The only domestic gas storage facility was handed over to be managed by the Russian side. Finally, Serbia is the only country on the main route of the pipeline that agreed to be a minority partner and the only that agreed for this project to be managed from the offshore zone.

All other countries are equal partners to Gazprom and in all countries companies for the construction of the pipeline were established in their territories.

Serbia has already allocated EUR 105 million, although according to the program's investigation, the government does not have complete control over how the money is spent, as the project is conducted from the offshore zone.

Instead of answering the many questions, the thesis has been placed in the public that Insajder was bringing down South Stream, with a warning that the Russian partners are unhappy because Serbian journalists are asking questions.

At the same time, for months, even on Sunday, Insajder's reporters were not given the opportunity to receive the key answers from representatives of the last three governments.