Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he had asked Russian leader Vladimir Putin for cheap gas at the lowest price in Europe, and also thanked Moscow for ensuring the energy security of his country. His words lead TASS…
According to the head of state, Russian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov will convey his words to Putin, so Serbia will have the best fuel price. He added that he had not yet spoken to his Russian counterpart, but he was sure that his request would be fulfilled.
Vucic thanked Russia for ensuring energy security and stability. He noted that the construction of the Balkan Stream gas pipeline was a salvation amid the energy crisis.
Earlier it became known that Belgrade and Moscow are negotiating a new long-term gas contract. This was stated by the head of the Russian-Serbian Intergovernmental Committee on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (IGC) Nenad Popovic. Gas talks continued on October 7 between President Vucic and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov.
Vucic also named the reason for the energy crisis. In his opinion, the reason was the long-term gas contracts with Russia that were not concluded on time. The Serbian leader clarified that these decisions were made not for economic reasons, but for political ones. He also named among the reasons carbon taxes, a sharp abandonment of traditional energy sources in favor of green energy and the global economy’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Serbian leader, the crisis in Europe will last from six months to two years and will not be resolved on its own. He believes that this will affect the rise in prices in various sectors of the economy, including food and building materials.
On Saturday, October 9, it became known that Serbia is discussing with Russia maintaining the gas price at $ 270 per thousand cubic meters for six months in 2022.
On October 6, the Serbian leader admitted that he decided to ask for help from Russian leader Vladimir Putin because of the sharp rise in gas prices in Europe.
It also became known that the price of gas in Europe exceeded $ 1,400 per thousand cubic meters.
Vucic said that relations between Belgrade and Moscow are very good, there is excellent cooperation in all spheres of life.
The Serbian leader thanked Russia for the supply of vaccines against the coronavirus, as well as Russian doctors who provided assistance to the country at the beginning of the pandemic crisis. He promised that Belgrade will never forget about help and support.
Vucic also expressed gratitude to Moscow for supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and stressed that the country will maintain military neutrality and will develop its defense capabilities.
Vucic expressed hope to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin by the end of 2021. In turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that he conveyed the best wishes from his Russian colleague to the President of Serbia.
Lavrov noted that Putin is determined to actively continue the dialogue at the highest level and expressed confidence that Moscow and Belgrade will soon agree on a meeting of heads of state.
Earlier, Vucic said about the ability of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to influence the price of gas for Europe. He pointed out that the EU is facing an energy crisis as many countries have emptied their reserves without bothering to conclude long-term contracts for the supply of blue fuel with Moscow. “And now Putin is an absolute” kingmaker “, he can influence who and at what price, and how much to raise the price,” the Serbian leader said.