BAJATOVIC: Serbia to get EUR 60 million to connect with Bulgaria

Serbia might get EUR 60 million from the European Commission for the construction of the Nis-Dimitrovgrad-Sofia pipeline, which would enable it to get gas from the direction of Bulgaria, said Dusan Bajatovic, the director of Srbijagas, who took part in the Varna International Gas Conference.

The European Commission, as he says, is prepared to finance other inter-connections from its funds as well, such as Bulgaria-Greece-Turkey, Romania-Bulgaria and Bulgaria-Serbia. However, the issue of providing sufficient amounts of gas in order to make connecting the pipelines cost-effective remains. The gas would be coming from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Nabucco West and Baumgarten in Austria, Politika reports.

– Bulgaria and the European Commission have also agreed that the presence of Russian gas is necessary in order to make the job commercial and the construction cost-effective, but also when it comes to the future price of gas. Considering the presence of various gas supply sources, it's realistic to expect the prices to be competitive – Bajatovic says.

It's apparent, however, that all these pipelines bypass Serbia.

The only thing Serbia can count on is for the EC to stick to its promise of financing the connection with Bulgaria, but also on providing secure transfer of Russian gas, the only one that comes in sufficient amounts, through its territory.

It's interesting that there are allegations that Bulgaria is considering connecting with Ukraine for the purpose of renewing the internal gas system of Bulgaria and increasing its capacity.

The aim is to open the South Eastern European market through inter-connecting.

What's important, Bajatovic says, is that the EC has requested that all international agreements on gas be inspected, as it is considered that they are not commercial, but also that the legislation be modified to bring it in line with the EU regulations.

Serbia has already received such a request, and now this is also being asked of other countries which have signed international agreements.

JP Srbijagas Novi Sad

Delegacija Evropske unije u Republici Srbiji Beograd

Dusan Bajatovic

Srbijagas

European Commission

Nis Dimitrovgrad Sofija pipeline

Bulgaria Greece Turkey pipeline

Romania Bulgaria pipeline

Bulgaria Serbia pipeline