South Stream to become "project of national importance"

BELGRADE Zorana Mihajlovic has said that the government "has done all to create conditions for the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline as soon as possible." The minister of energy added on Friday in Belgrade that "the beginning of work on the pipeline is a question primarily for Srbijagas" - the country's public enterprise for natural gas. South Stream to become "project of national importance" "A national commission for monitoring and support to South Stream was established upon the decision of the Serbian government, and along with EUR 35 million, which had been granted, additional EUR 70 million was allocated from the budget for the realization of this project," Mihajlovic told Tanjug, adding that changes were introduced to the rule book for pipelines with pressure over 16 bars. The minister underlined that the government "will grant the status of a project of national importance to South Stream." President of the Serbian Gas Association Vojislav Vuletic said that South Stream is very important for Serbia both in terms of energy and economy. "Everyone who wishes the best for Serbia should want South Stream to be completed as soon as possible," he told Tanjug. The construction of South Stream is supported by 73 percent of the Serbian citizens, he said, adding that Serbia will also have a great benefit from the collection of transit fees. Srbijagas, which is a partner of Russian Gazprom on the South Stream's leg through Serbia, has conducted all the preliminary work necessary for the construction of the magistrate pipeline, and it will soon launch the construction of a compression station, he said, adding that South Stream cannot jeopardize the plan for restructuring of Srbijagas. According to Vuletic, "Srbijagas ended up in a mess which the government is supposed to bail it out from, since the government has approved the loan taking by Srbijagas in the previous period, sale of gas at a lower price and import of gas." Tanjug

South Stream to become "project of national importance"

"A national commission for monitoring and support to South Stream was established upon the decision of the Serbian government, and along with EUR 35 million, which had been granted, additional EUR 70 million was allocated from the budget for the realization of this project," Mihajlović told Tanjug, adding that changes were introduced to the rule book for pipelines with pressure over 16 bars.

The minister underlined that the government "will grant the status of a project of national importance to South Stream."

President of the Serbian Gas Association Vojislav Vuletić said that South Stream is very important for Serbia both in terms of energy and economy.

"Everyone who wishes the best for Serbia should want South Stream to be completed as soon as possible," he told Tanjug.

The construction of South Stream is supported by 73 percent of the Serbian citizens, he said, adding that Serbia will also have a great benefit from the collection of transit fees.

Srbijagas, which is a partner of Russian Gazprom on the South Stream's leg through Serbia, has conducted all the preliminary work necessary for the construction of the magistrate pipeline, and it will soon launch the construction of a compression station, he said, adding that South Stream cannot jeopardize the plan for restructuring of Srbijagas.

According to Vuletić, "Srbijagas ended up in a mess which the government is supposed to bail it out from, since the government has approved the loan taking by Srbijagas in the previous period, sale of gas at a lower price and import of gas."