Djedovic Handanovic receives Russian ambassador

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic received Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in energy projects and also thanked the Russian Federation for supporting Serbia regarding a UN General Assembly resolution on Srebrenica.

"This is a very difficult week for our country, so thank you for the sincere support," Djedovic Handanovic said.

An overhaul of the Pancevo oil refinery, where works are in the final phase, was one of the main topics of the meeting, the Ministry of Mining and Energy said in a statement.

The parties also discussed a project to expand a Banatski Dvor natural gas storage facility, co-owned by Srbijagas and Russia's Gazprom.

Djedovic Handanovic noted the good cooperation with Russian partners on revitalisation of the Djerdap 1 hydropower plant, which provides around 100 MW of additional green energy to Serbia.

"After successful completion of that revitalisation, the Ministry plans to revitalise the Djerdap 2 HPP as well, which will mean greater energy stability and an extended life span of the hydropower plant's generator," she said.

Congratulating the minister on her new term in office, Botsan-Kharchenko said a good exchange of views and dialogue that was producing concrete results had been achieved in the past period.