Ilić: Chance for cheaper energy

Serbia can expect a privileged status when buying Russian oil and gas after it ratifies the energy agreement, Velimir Ilic says. The Infrastructure Minister and New Serbia (NS) leader said after his talks in Moscow yesterday Russia agreed that the strategic deal, signed on Jan. 25, can be ratified in parliament after the May 11 elections. Ilic: Chance for cheaper energy On Thursday, the government failed to send the document to parliament for ratification, when Democratic Party (DS) and G17 Plus ministers abstained from voting, leaving the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and NS in minority. After a meeting with Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko, Ilic said that the contract signed by presidents Boris Tadic and Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, will not be affected by the period until the ratification. The Russian ministry said in a statement Friday that the two sides that met in Moscow believe the perspectives of bilateral cooperation in the oil processing and natural gas sectors are very good, and in the interest of the European energy security, Beta news agency said. Ilic returned from Moscow without any agreement on the initiative for Serbia to buy Russian gas and oil at prices 20 percent lower. "The chances for this are big. That's been agreed on, that's a part of the deal," Ilic was quoted as saying. When it comes to the sale of its energy, so far Russia has given a favored status only to Belarus and Ukraine. Srbijagas Director Sasa Ilic, however, told B92 that a lower price of natural gas "should not be expected without some condition from the Russian side". Some reporters also see the possibility of Serbia buying energy at discount prices as unlikely, and accuse Ilic of using the issue for "political marketing". The lower prices of gas and oil are also not mentioned in the strategic energy agreement signed between Moscow and Belgrade. The deal envisages the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline through Serbia and the sale of a 51 percent stake in the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS) to the Russian Gazprom for EUR 400mn. The Russian giant also pledged to invest an additional EUR 500mn in the modernization of the company. Velimir Ilic in Moscow yesterday (Tanjug)

Ilić: Chance for cheaper energy

On Thursday, the government failed to send the document to parliament for ratification, when Democratic Party (DS) and G17 Plus ministers abstained from voting, leaving the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and NS in minority.

After a meeting with Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko, Ilić said that the contract signed by presidents Boris Tadić and Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica, will not be affected by the period until the ratification.

The Russian ministry said in a statement Friday that the two sides that met in Moscow believe the perspectives of bilateral cooperation in the oil processing and natural gas sectors are very good, and in the interest of the European energy security, Beta news agency said.

Ilić returned from Moscow without any agreement on the initiative for Serbia to buy Russian gas and oil at prices 20 percent lower.

"The chances for this are big. That's been agreed on, that's a part of the deal," Ilić was quoted as saying.

When it comes to the sale of its energy, so far Russia has given a favored status only to Belarus and Ukraine.

Srbijagas Director Saša Ilić, however, told B92 that a lower price of natural gas "should not be expected without some condition from the Russian side".

Some reporters also see the possibility of Serbia buying energy at discount prices as unlikely, and accuse Ilić of using the issue for "political marketing".

The lower prices of gas and oil are also not mentioned in the strategic energy agreement signed between Moscow and Belgrade.

The deal envisages the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline through Serbia and the sale of a 51 percent stake in the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS) to the Russian Gazprom for EUR 400mn.

The Russian giant also pledged to invest an additional EUR 500mn in the modernization of the company.