Serbia, EU Discuss Energy Security and Diversification

Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia, Zorana Mihajlovic, and the head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, recently discussed energy security and gas diversification, local media reported.

“This is a challenging time for all of us. We need to continue working to improve Serbia’s energy security, especially in the gas sector and the possibility of diversifying both routes and suppliers,” Mihajlovic said, noting that the Nis-Dimitrovgrad interconnector is the most important in this matter.

Giaufret said that Serbia is a strategically important partner of the EU and he will continue to support projects to secure supplies and diversify energy sources.

He stressed the importance of the Serbia-Bulgaria gas pipeline. The parties also discussed renewable energy sources, violence against women, and gender equality.

Last year, Serbian authorities also said they were interested in acquiring shares in any nuclear power plant in the Balkans.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic noted that the government is ready to do this since the state does not yet have money to build its nuclear power plant.

Vucic also said that Serbia would not experience significant problems due to the impending energy crisis.

The Serbian leader added that the country has enough sources of renewable energy and gas. Still, to provide additional security, the government needs to acquire a 10% stake in any nuclear power plant in the Balkan region.