Gazprom "insists on September call for bids"

BELGRADE Milan Bacevic says a call for bids for the construction works on the section of the South Stream pipeline through Serbia should be announced in September. The Russian partner, Gazprom, insists on this, Bacevic, who is charge of mining and spatial planning in the government, told the Vecernje Novosti daily. Gazprom "insists on September call for bids" Bacevic met with Gazprom managers in Moscow, discussing the need to move rapidly towards the implementation of the capital project, which he said is not because it is overdue, but because the Russian side wants to make their investment as soon as possible. "Serbia is also in a hurry, as the South Stream guarantees that our engineering and construction contractors will get a secure job, and certainly collect the money for what they do," said Bacevic. The Russians have confirmed their intention to invite Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, who fully supports the project, to attend the opening of the construction works, he added. In order to speed up preparations for the start of the works, the project documentation should be completed and funds for expropriation provided. The Serbian government promised EUR 70 million for the purchase of land and the money will be provided from the reserves, according to Vecernje Novosti. The Russian partner supported the initiative of the Serbian Spatial Planning Ministry to prepare the documentation for the southern arm of the pipeline, which would branch toward Kosovo and Metohija, and also toward Montenegro and Macedonia. Bacevic did not wish to speculate about possible costs for the construction of that section of the pipeline, Tanjug said. (Tanjug, file) Tanjug Vecernje novosti

Gazprom "insists on September call for bids"

Bačević met with Gazprom managers in Moscow, discussing the need to move rapidly towards the implementation of the capital project, which he said is not because it is overdue, but because the Russian side wants to make their investment as soon as possible.

"Serbia is also in a hurry, as the South Stream guarantees that our engineering and construction contractors will get a secure job, and certainly collect the money for what they do," said Bačević.

The Russians have confirmed their intention to invite Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, who fully supports the project, to attend the opening of the construction works, he added.

In order to speed up preparations for the start of the works, the project documentation should be completed and funds for expropriation provided. The Serbian government promised EUR 70 million for the purchase of land and the money will be provided from the reserves, according to Večernje Novosti.

The Russian partner supported the initiative of the Serbian Spatial Planning Ministry to prepare the documentation for the southern arm of the pipeline, which would branch toward Kosovo and Metohija, and also toward Montenegro and Macedonia.

Bačević did not wish to speculate about possible costs for the construction of that section of the pipeline, Tanjug said.