Dinkić unhappy about Gazprom deal, Kosovo debt

Mladjan Dinkic says he supports the gas pipeline part of the Russian energy arrangement, and opposes the NIS sale. The Economy and Regional Development Minister in the Kostunica cabinet and G17 Plus leader said today that he was against the sale of a majority stake in the Serbian oil monopoly NIS without a tender. Dinkic unhappy about Gazprom deal, Kosovo debt He was the lone voice in the government to oppose this part of the strategic energy agreement between Serbia and Russia when it was signed in Moscow in January. Now that the sale seems all but a foregone conclusion, Dinkic told reporters in Belgrade that the price the Russian giant Gazprom has offered, namely EUR 400mn for the company is still "humiliating", and that the best model for the public company's sale is an international tender. In his opinion, Serbia should retain a majority stake, with all citizens getting 15 percent in free shares, and with Gazprom acquiring a maximum 30 percent of the capital. Dinkic added that NIS should remain in state ownership at least by 2013, until the South Stream trunk gas pipeline becomes operational. Another idea offered by the minister Tuesday is that Serbia must reach an agreement with international creditors to stop paying the foreign debt of Kosovo and Metohija. Dinkic pointed out that the money, instead of repaying the Kosovo debt, should be directed at strengthening the position of Serbs in the province, create jobs and make investments in areas where Serbs live. He announced he would raise the issue at a Serbian government session on Thursday and said he expected the proposal to be "accepted unanimously".

Dinkić unhappy about Gazprom deal, Kosovo debt

He was the lone voice in the government to oppose this part of the strategic energy agreement between Serbia and Russia when it was signed in Moscow in January.

Now that the sale seems all but a foregone conclusion, Dinkić told reporters in Belgrade that the price the Russian giant Gazprom has offered, namely EUR 400mn for the company is still "humiliating", and that the best model for the public company's sale is an international tender.

In his opinion, Serbia should retain a majority stake, with all citizens getting 15 percent in free shares, and with Gazprom acquiring a maximum 30 percent of the capital.

Dinkić added that NIS should remain in state ownership at least by 2013, until the South Stream trunk gas pipeline becomes operational.

Another idea offered by the minister Tuesday is that Serbia must reach an agreement with international creditors to stop paying the foreign debt of Kosovo and Metohija.

Dinkić pointed out that the money, instead of repaying the Kosovo debt, should be directed at strengthening the position of Serbs in the province, create jobs and make investments in areas where Serbs live.

He announced he would raise the issue at a Serbian government session on Thursday and said he expected the proposal to be "accepted unanimously".