Russians aren't blackmailing, says minister

There has been no political influence, or ultimatums from the Russian side when it comes to the South Stream route, says the Serbian energy minister. Petar Skundric told Belgrade's Vecernje Novosti daily that experts will have the last word on the international natural gas pipeline's route. Russians aren't blackmailing, says minister Last week, there was some controversy after reports that President Boris Tadic had met with the Bulgarian prime minister, and that they addressed the issue of the pipeline's entry point when it comes to Serbia. Currently, the plan is for that point to be near the town of Zajecar in the east. Tadic also mentioned Dimitrovgrad, south of Zajecar. Skundric now says that a feasibility study for the project will analyze both options, but that the decision will be made on the level of the entire pipeline project. The minister conceded that it was in the country's interest to have a long stretch of the pipeline run through its territory, and that it would bring economic benefits for the areas it passes through. Skundric also rejected accusations that he had misled the public when it comes to an agreement on oil derivatives reached with Russia. In the interview for the daily, he insisted that his statement about the American-Dutch consortium Comico Oil's plans to build a new refinery in Smederevo was misinterpreted. "They (the consortium) will get the energy permit to build as soon as they meet the necessary conditions. As far as I'm aware, they are yet to submit the necessary paperwork. And, before they receive a building license, they'll have to obtain several compliance permits," said the minister. This process, Skundric explained, can be complete no sooner than in three years' time. "In other words, Comico can start building its refinery in Smederevo, but it cannot become operational until NIS finishes modernizing its own refineries," the minister concluded. Petar Skundric (Tanjug, file)

Russians aren't blackmailing, says minister

Last week, there was some controversy after reports that President Boris Tadić had met with the Bulgarian prime minister, and that they addressed the issue of the pipeline's entry point when it comes to Serbia.

Currently, the plan is for that point to be near the town of Zaječar in the east. Tadić also mentioned Dimitrovgrad, south of Zaječar.

Škundrić now says that a feasibility study for the project will analyze both options, but that the decision will be made on the level of the entire pipeline project.

The minister conceded that it was in the country's interest to have a long stretch of the pipeline run through its territory, and that it would bring economic benefits for the areas it passes through.

Škundrić also rejected accusations that he had misled the public when it comes to an agreement on oil derivatives reached with Russia. In the interview for the daily, he insisted that his statement about the American-Dutch consortium Comico Oil's plans to build a new refinery in Smederevo was misinterpreted.

"They (the consortium) will get the energy permit to build as soon as they meet the necessary conditions. As far as I'm aware, they are yet to submit the necessary paperwork. And, before they receive a building license, they'll have to obtain several compliance permits," said the minister.

This process, Škundrić explained, can be complete no sooner than in three years' time.

"In other words, Comico can start building its refinery in Smederevo, but it cannot become operational until NIS finishes modernizing its own refineries," the minister concluded.