Popovic: Talks underway with Russia to ensure best natural gas price to Serbia

BELGRADE - The energy sector is the most important element of Serbia-Russia cooperation and talks are underway with the Russian side to ensure Serbia continues to have the best natural gas price in Europe, Serbian Minister without portfolio Nenad Popovic, who co-chairs a Serbia-Russia commission on cooperation, said on Friday.

At a press conference with Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov in Belgrade, Popovic said Serbia had the most favourable gas price thanks to an exceptional relationship between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier, Serbian and Russian delegations met at the Palace of Serbia.

"Talks are also underway about Serbia having the best gas price and the safest supply in the coming period, too," Popovic said.

"All foreign investors coming to Serbia want to have the best electricity price and the best gas price. That is why Serbia is the entire region's leader in attracting foreign investments, and that will certainly remain so in the future," he noted.

Reshetnikov said preparations were underway for an April meeting of the inter-governmental commission on economic, trade and science and technological cooperation in Belgrade to discuss detailed agreements in all areas of dynamic cooperation between the two countries.

"Our bilateral trade volume exceeds 2 bln dollars. To Serbia, Russia is a dependable supplier of energy at very favourable prices that ensure the competitiveness of the Serbian economy and agriculture, while, for us, Serbia is a supplier of agricultural products and household appliances," Reshetnikov said.

He added that the potential of bilateral trade cooperation was much greater.