Tadić: Austria to give gas too

Mircea, not all of us want to join the EU, and also, your post has nothing to do with the topic. Therefore go away and post relevant things in comments of topics, or do not post at all.

to mircea:

Why are you so concerned about Serbia?

I cannot believe what i'm reading in some of the comments.

Wednesday: Serbia sends an envoy to ask for gas. Hungary turns down the offer, because consumption is too high and production may not meet demand.

"We do not give gas". This then became leading news over here in the media.

Within hours forums and blogs were buzzing with hundreds of people who felt a bit ashamed. "Here we are, comfortably in our heated homes, while the neighbours are celebrating christmas and they are sitting in the cold." There were even plans to start petitions and set up a website quickly to make the government change this decision.
A lot of people went on to turn down the thermostat and many (incl. me) even wrote to the PM about how this is a disgrace, and there surely is a way send even a little.

Thursday morning: Turns out the consumption was less than expected and we do have some gas to spare. PM then phones Serbia that we are ready to send a limited amount.

I don't care what Tadic and Gyurcsány are saying about the EU, Brussels did nothing, this gas "came from" the households and the people who acted.

Yes, the point is that Serbia (formerly Jugoslavija) in the past saw itself as more advanced than neighbouring economies and that is no longer the situation for Serbia.

But how many times can you do this point to death, its hardly that important.

Ment I wonder if Hungarians / Austrians / Germans(MOL / OMV etc) are playing a smart game - thinking that if somehow the NIS sale collapses that they would be favoured at a future tender.

Considering these companies were excluded from the possible purchase of NIS, I am grateful they did not reject Serbia out of hand.

Lets hope that thousands of householders in Serbia will feel the warmth tonight and a thumbs down to Russia and Ukraine that made Serbia and other countries victims of their own dispute.

More thought must be made on energy and how to avoid dependence on other countries.

@ Mircea.

Why are you so bothered who will apply first? Because your country is in the EU that doesn't make you above us. Romania is still like it used to be. You can't even come to the UK freely just like the Poles,Lithuanian and Latvians do.
Back to the topic. I really hope this gas thingy get solved soon so the people of Serbia and the rest of Europe can have a beeter winter (It's bloody freezing)
Cheers

It's good that urgent problems are solved, but that is not Mr. Tadic's job: what is the Government of Serbia doing?

As they say...

1. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

2. When it comes to friendships, some people (countries) put their money where their mouths are and some just talk the talk.

The Russophiles here may want to think about this.

Austria has about 4 billion cubic metres of gas storage capacity (almost all of it in underground storage), covering about 40% of its annual usage. And they're building even more capacity still.

I think it's about time that Serbia does the same. South Stream is fine, but you need to be able to survive at least a week without external supplies.

"Tadić said last night that the help given by Hungary and Germany to Serbia during the gas crisis demonstrated European solidarity." With all due respect, it looks more like a political stunt to somehow compensate (if possible) for these countries' recognition of Kosovo's secession rather than real friendly support. Secondly, he's also getting personal support for his battered image...

To Mircea, my fellow countryman: man you look so fond of this European membership that you're really all too keen to motivate others... Impressive! E chiar asa, misiune de credinta?

for all Serbs:

I read an article entitled: "Albania To Apply for EU Candidate Status Soon"

http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/15904/

If Albania submits its EU membership application before Serbia it would be a big embarrassment for Serbia.

Bganon

I hope you folks get some relief too.

With regard to Russia all I can say is that I find its politics revolting.

Even Israel..fighting a "hot" war with the Gazans has not completely shut down humanitarian aid to that strip yet Russians have no qualms about shutting down gas supplies to the entire Europe in the dead of winter...over a contractual disagreement.

Frankly, for the sake of the Balkans, I hope Nis and any other contracts in any of our countries never get awarded to Russia. I don't believe there is a country out there that has gotten close to Russia without regretting it in the long run.

As for those 3 countries playing a smart game, well, I don't know about you Bganon, but as an Albanian, I would look forward to my country doing business with them, if for no other reason than their relative lack of corruption and respect for the rule of law.

for Albanian:

Regarding the UK, I would like to inform you that the restrictions only apply to Romanian and Bulgarian WORKERS: they do not apply to the self-employed. Nor do they restrict the rights to travel and live in the UK.

Transitional arrangements have been agreed in the Accession treaty of Romania and Bulgaria and allow EU Member States to TEMPORARILY restrict the right of Romanian and Bulgarian workers to freely move to another Member State to work. They aim at gradually introducing free movement step-by-step over a seven-year period. At the latest, Member States must open fully at the end of the seven year period (2013 for Bulgaria and Romania).

As you can see, Mr Albanian, these are TEMPORARY measures. The UK is obliged to open its labour market to Romanian and Bulgarian workers from 1 January 2014.

If EU has gas to give to Serbia then it should be quiet and stop complaining about Russian gas.

There is always a political motive for those who post here at B92. If it is something to do with Serbia then we bring up the past issues of Mladic and others to continue to stoke the fires of hate. It is very strange that the EU states supplied Serbia with Gas so quickly. And what does it have to do with Albania to apply for EU status? Is Kosovo part of Albania? Well according to some posters they are so basically they are not independent and have to abide by the rules set in Tirana. If i am not mistaken the two albanian sects do not really like each other only if it will benefit albania then of course Kosovo or Kosova how every want to pronounce it they are the greatest but if it is going to hurt Tirana's chances of EU or NATO membership then tirana will distance itself. So please Gas issues for Europe should not be politicized. It is a business Ukraine tried to steal gas and not pay for it and Russia showed them the middle finger and now EU will pay Ukraine's gas bill next thing you know Russia will attack Ukraine and secure the Pipeline. See what happen to Georgia.

for all Serbs:

I read an article entitled: "Albania To Apply for EU Candidate Status Soon"

http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/15904/

If Albania submits its EU membership application before Serbia it would be a big embarrassment for Serbia.

As they say...

1. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

2. When it comes to friendships, some people (countries) put their money where their mouths are and some just talk the talk.

The Russophiles here may want to think about this.

Bganon

I hope you folks get some relief too.

With regard to Russia all I can say is that I find its politics revolting.

Even Israel..fighting a "hot" war with the Gazans has not completely shut down humanitarian aid to that strip yet Russians have no qualms about shutting down gas supplies to the entire Europe in the dead of winter...over a contractual disagreement.

Frankly, for the sake of the Balkans, I hope Nis and any other contracts in any of our countries never get awarded to Russia. I don't believe there is a country out there that has gotten close to Russia without regretting it in the long run.

As for those 3 countries playing a smart game, well, I don't know about you Bganon, but as an Albanian, I would look forward to my country doing business with them, if for no other reason than their relative lack of corruption and respect for the rule of law.

Yes, the point is that Serbia (formerly Jugoslavija) in the past saw itself as more advanced than neighbouring economies and that is no longer the situation for Serbia.

But how many times can you do this point to death, its hardly that important.

Ment I wonder if Hungarians / Austrians / Germans(MOL / OMV etc) are playing a smart game - thinking that if somehow the NIS sale collapses that they would be favoured at a future tender.

Considering these companies were excluded from the possible purchase of NIS, I am grateful they did not reject Serbia out of hand.

Lets hope that thousands of householders in Serbia will feel the warmth tonight and a thumbs down to Russia and Ukraine that made Serbia and other countries victims of their own dispute.

More thought must be made on energy and how to avoid dependence on other countries.

for Albanian:

Regarding the UK, I would like to inform you that the restrictions only apply to Romanian and Bulgarian WORKERS: they do not apply to the self-employed. Nor do they restrict the rights to travel and live in the UK.

Transitional arrangements have been agreed in the Accession treaty of Romania and Bulgaria and allow EU Member States to TEMPORARILY restrict the right of Romanian and Bulgarian workers to freely move to another Member State to work. They aim at gradually introducing free movement step-by-step over a seven-year period. At the latest, Member States must open fully at the end of the seven year period (2013 for Bulgaria and Romania).

As you can see, Mr Albanian, these are TEMPORARY measures. The UK is obliged to open its labour market to Romanian and Bulgarian workers from 1 January 2014.

Mircea, not all of us want to join the EU, and also, your post has nothing to do with the topic. Therefore go away and post relevant things in comments of topics, or do not post at all.

If EU has gas to give to Serbia then it should be quiet and stop complaining about Russian gas.

to mircea:

Why are you so concerned about Serbia?

"Tadić said last night that the help given by Hungary and Germany to Serbia during the gas crisis demonstrated European solidarity." With all due respect, it looks more like a political stunt to somehow compensate (if possible) for these countries' recognition of Kosovo's secession rather than real friendly support. Secondly, he's also getting personal support for his battered image...

To Mircea, my fellow countryman: man you look so fond of this European membership that you're really all too keen to motivate others... Impressive! E chiar asa, misiune de credinta?

@ Mircea.

Why are you so bothered who will apply first? Because your country is in the EU that doesn't make you above us. Romania is still like it used to be. You can't even come to the UK freely just like the Poles,Lithuanian and Latvians do.
Back to the topic. I really hope this gas thingy get solved soon so the people of Serbia and the rest of Europe can have a beeter winter (It's bloody freezing)
Cheers

There is always a political motive for those who post here at B92. If it is something to do with Serbia then we bring up the past issues of Mladic and others to continue to stoke the fires of hate. It is very strange that the EU states supplied Serbia with Gas so quickly. And what does it have to do with Albania to apply for EU status? Is Kosovo part of Albania? Well according to some posters they are so basically they are not independent and have to abide by the rules set in Tirana. If i am not mistaken the two albanian sects do not really like each other only if it will benefit albania then of course Kosovo or Kosova how every want to pronounce it they are the greatest but if it is going to hurt Tirana's chances of EU or NATO membership then tirana will distance itself. So please Gas issues for Europe should not be politicized. It is a business Ukraine tried to steal gas and not pay for it and Russia showed them the middle finger and now EU will pay Ukraine's gas bill next thing you know Russia will attack Ukraine and secure the Pipeline. See what happen to Georgia.

It's good that urgent problems are solved, but that is not Mr. Tadic's job: what is the Government of Serbia doing?

I cannot believe what i'm reading in some of the comments.

Wednesday: Serbia sends an envoy to ask for gas. Hungary turns down the offer, because consumption is too high and production may not meet demand.

"We do not give gas". This then became leading news over here in the media.

Within hours forums and blogs were buzzing with hundreds of people who felt a bit ashamed. "Here we are, comfortably in our heated homes, while the neighbours are celebrating christmas and they are sitting in the cold." There were even plans to start petitions and set up a website quickly to make the government change this decision.
A lot of people went on to turn down the thermostat and many (incl. me) even wrote to the PM about how this is a disgrace, and there surely is a way send even a little.

Thursday morning: Turns out the consumption was less than expected and we do have some gas to spare. PM then phones Serbia that we are ready to send a limited amount.

I don't care what Tadic and Gyurcsány are saying about the EU, Brussels did nothing, this gas "came from" the households and the people who acted.

Austria has about 4 billion cubic metres of gas storage capacity (almost all of it in underground storage), covering about 40% of its annual usage. And they're building even more capacity still.

I think it's about time that Serbia does the same. South Stream is fine, but you need to be able to survive at least a week without external supplies.