Serbia expects extension of Russian gas supply deal despite EU pressure

Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, said she expects the country’s contract for Russian gas supplies to be extended until the end of the year despite efforts by the European Union to curb imports of Russian energy.

Speaking to Tanjug news agency, she noted that Serbia would continue consultations with all relevant parties as it seeks to secure stable energy supplies in the coming months.

“The contract is valid until the end of September. We have had three-month extensions, but we expect it to be extended until the end of the year. Of course, the European Union and European countries want to make Russian gas imports as difficult as possible, while we receive it through Bulgaria, which is an EU member state. There are also certain deadlines and timeframes involved. We will continue the dialogue to find the best solution for Serbia,” the minister emphasised.

On June 4, following talks with Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller in St. Petersburg, Đedović Handanović announced that Serbia’s gas supply agreement with Russia, which had been due to expire on June 30, had been extended by three months.

Later, Srbijagas Director Dušan Bajatović stated that Russian gas deliveries to Serbia would remain secure at least until the beginning of 2028.

By Jeyhun Aghazada