Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović spoke in St. Petersburg with the Chairman of the Board of Gazprom Neft, Alexander Djukov, on cooperation regarding the oil company NIS.
The Minister highlighted that negotiations between Gazprom and Hungarian MOL are ongoing, that both sides are committed to resolving all remaining issues and that they are getting closer to an agreement. “Our side is also actively negotiating with the future buyer, seeking to improve our position in NIS and ensure that the domestic market is supplied primarily through domestic refining, via the operation of the Pancevo refinery,” she said.
The Minister also met with Alexei Miller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gazprom, to discuss gas supply to Serbia and ongoing cooperation in the gas sector.
“Gazprom remains a key and reliable partner in gas supply. The construction of the Balkan Stream pipeline, along with contracts between Srbijagas and Gazprom, has significantly strengthened Serbia’s energy security during periods of supply disruptions in Europe and high energy market prices. Our goal in the coming period is to ensure security and predictability for our citizens and economy through continued cooperation with Russia and Gazprom in times of uncertainty,” Đedović Handanović said.
The meeting also addressed the extension of the gas supply contract, which expires on 30 June. The expansion of the Banatski Dvor underground gas storage facility was also touched on, with capacity set to increase from 450 million cubic metres to 750 million cubic metres.