Djedovic Handanovic: I will discuss oil pipeline with Szijjarto

BUDAPEST - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Tuesday she would hold a separate meeting with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto to discuss the construction of a 128 km Serbian-Hungarian oil pipeline estimated to cost around 150 mln euros.

Speaking to the RTS ahead of a two-day Budapest Balkans Forum, Djedovic Handanovic said the oil pipeline was expected to be completed by 2027 and that all technical and project documentation had been finished.

She also said Hungary was significantly relying on nuclear power and noted that Serbia, too, should consider that option.

"We need to consider ways to ensure base energy sources, such as nuclear energy, by 2040. Today, you have smaller reactors that are built more quickly and cost less, while we are still primarily relying on coal. The global tendencies are that there are even no investments in gas for the future, so renewable energy sources need to be found," Djedovic Handanovic said.