Draft law on South Stream arrives in parliament

winston,

Not necessarily.

Gasprom are underwriting the cost of the pipes construction, not the Serbian government. Gasprom will be the ones operating the pipe and pumping the gas through.

It is unlikely the Serbian coffers will receive anything significant in respect of transit granting rights.

Any 'discount' on gas price will be have to be paid back by other means.

Russia does not give out freebies to anybody.

Apart from a few connected politicians, their friends and family, who will receive very nice 'consultancy fees' etc etc, Serbs will not benefit from this at all.

How does Serbia and other countries that this pipeline is going through make money? Do they get a discount on the gas or do Russians pay them for the land?

Yes, Alex, they get a transit fee because the pipeline is on their land, plus they will get a discount on the gas. Pretty cool, no?

How does Serbia and other countries that this pipeline is going through make money? Do they get a discount on the gas or do Russians pay them for the land?

winston,

Not necessarily.

Gasprom are underwriting the cost of the pipes construction, not the Serbian government. Gasprom will be the ones operating the pipe and pumping the gas through.

It is unlikely the Serbian coffers will receive anything significant in respect of transit granting rights.

Any 'discount' on gas price will be have to be paid back by other means.

Russia does not give out freebies to anybody.

Apart from a few connected politicians, their friends and family, who will receive very nice 'consultancy fees' etc etc, Serbs will not benefit from this at all.

Yes, Alex, they get a transit fee because the pipeline is on their land, plus they will get a discount on the gas. Pretty cool, no?