Belgrade, Moscow to initial energy deal Jan. 18

A Belgrade daily says that Serbia and Russia will likely initial a strategic partnership agreement on January 18.

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Monday, 31.12.2007.

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A Belgrade daily says that Serbia and Russia will likely initial a strategic partnership agreement on January 18. Vecernje Novosti newspaper writes today the deal is set to cover the two countries' cooperation in the gas and oil sector. Belgrade, Moscow to initial energy deal Jan. 18 An extraordinary cabinet session in Belgrade last weekend approved a platform for further negotiations on the agreement, amid news of disagreements inside the ruling coalition. Now reports suggest that the contract will be signed in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, with Belgrade and Moscow represented at the highest level, by presidents Boris Tadic and Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica. The agreement covers strategic partnership related to modernization and privatization of Serbia's oil monopoly NIS, and the construction of a part of the South Stream pipeline through the Serbian territory. The government is set to officially adopt its platform on cooperation at a session most likely to be scheduled for January 11, the newspaper says, and adds that the Russian side told the Serbian authorities they were "more than satisfied" with the document endorsed Saturday. Different sources put the figure Russia's oil giant Gazprom is willing to offer for 51 percent of NIS at EUR 400-500mn, with a further EUR 500mn in investments through 2012. In return, Gazprom would build a segment of its South Stream natural gas pipeline through Serbia, but no firm guarantees were provided for this. Economy Minister Mladjan Dinkic (G17 Plus) publicly denounced the offer, dubbing it "humiliating" for Serbia, and was consequently asked to step down as member of a team set up to negotiate the deal on behalf of the government.

Belgrade, Moscow to initial energy deal Jan. 18

An extraordinary cabinet session in Belgrade last weekend approved a platform for further negotiations on the agreement, amid news of disagreements inside the ruling coalition.

Now reports suggest that the contract will be signed in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, with Belgrade and Moscow represented at the highest level, by presidents Boris Tadić and Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica.

The agreement covers strategic partnership related to modernization and privatization of Serbia's oil monopoly NIS, and the construction of a part of the South Stream pipeline through the Serbian territory.

The government is set to officially adopt its platform on cooperation at a session most likely to be scheduled for January 11, the newspaper says, and adds that the Russian side told the Serbian authorities they were "more than satisfied" with the document endorsed Saturday.

Different sources put the figure Russia's oil giant Gazprom is willing to offer for 51 percent of NIS at EUR 400-500mn, with a further EUR 500mn in investments through 2012.

In return, Gazprom would build a segment of its South Stream natural gas pipeline through Serbia, but no firm guarantees were provided for this.

Economy Minister Mlađan Dinkić (G17 Plus) publicly denounced the offer, dubbing it "humiliating" for Serbia, and was consequently asked to step down as member of a team set up to negotiate the deal on behalf of the government.

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