Gas storing in Hungary agreed

Hungary is ready to help Serbia provide fuel we ned and store lacking gas quantities in their warehouses, the minister of energy, Aleksandar Antic, said on Tuesday.

According to him, there are two scenarios and one of them is that Gazprom stores certain gas quantities in Hungary for the needs of the region, a part of which would be for Serbia.

The second scenario is that Serbia stores approximately 150 mil cubic of gas in Hungary based on a long-term contract we have with Gazprom – Antic specified.

- These would not be new gas quantities but the ones previously agreed. But, definite estimation is yet to be discusses at the Government of Serbia and with Srbijagas – Antic said and outlined that decision should be made in reasonable time.

When we start taking gas out of the warehouse, it is not possible to pump in it, Antic explained.

September should see a decision and the price will be a friendly one, without additional fees and taxes, Serbian minister said.

As Antic added, we got very firm promise that in case of any gas crisis, Hungary will not withhold gas deliveries and all the gas we have based on the commercial contracts, in transit or warehouse, will be delivered to us.

He announced there is an option that Serbia procures a portion of lacking quantities from Hungary under favorable circumstances.