European Commission makes it clear that Serbia can still import Russian gas

The European Commission (EC) is making it clear that Serbia can still import Russian gas - despite some interpretations of the new regulation that bans imports, but only to EU members, Insajder reported last night, adding that EC spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said that working groups in Brussels and Belgrade were working to resolve the energy crisis.

The European Commission emphasizes that, in parallel, alternative ways of gas supply are being sought and that these options are already being intensively discussed within the working groups in Belgrade and Brussels. And one of the key questions is whether continued imports of Russian gas could pose a problem for Serbia on its path to Europe.

The “RePower” proposal (on the ban on imports of Russian gas), which was adopted last week, applies exclusively to EU member states and has jurisdiction only over them.

It does not affect or regulate transit to third countries as such. What should be kept in mind is that this proposal was adopted this summer, and the Council, meaning the member states, adopted the general approach last week.

Now it still needs to go through the final inter-institutional negotiations between the Commission, the member states and the European Parliament to become law. It does not apply to Serbia, which is not a member of the European Union, although it was presented as such in Belgrade, stated Insajder.

– We tried to explain very clearly in our communication what exactly the scope of this legislation is. Of course, it is not yet law. But we also wanted to be very clear with our Serbian partners about what the situation is, especially considering the many changes that are currently taking place in the region regarding US sanctions on oil companies and the like – spokeswoman Itkonen told Insajder.

She added that there were many developments in the energy sector, and that Serbia, as a candidate country, was someone they fully supported amidst all those changes.

– We offer support in diversification, for example. Following the recent visit of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Belgrade, a technical meeting of a working group of Serbian and Commission officials was held precisely to analyze these situations - what is the best way to support Serbia in diversifying and harmonizing legislation with European legislation in the field of energy – she said.

European Commission

Anna Kaisa Itkonen

Ursula von der Leyen

RePower

CESEC

Russian gas