Dušan Bajatović, the General Director of “Srbijagas”, emphasized that Serbia is committed to maintaining its gas supply from Russia as the current agreement nears its expiration on May 31. In an interview with “RT Balkan,” Bajatović praised Gazprom as a reliable partner, noting that Serbia has consistently received the agreed-upon gas quantities in previous years. However, he highlighted that uneven consumption remains a major challenge for Serbia, with daily consumption fluctuating between 10 and 18 million cubic meters.
The main issues in the ongoing negotiations are the quantity and price of gas. Bajatović outlined that Serbia plans to request a long-term contract for at least 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas, covering a period of three to ten years, and stressed the importance of maintaining flexibility with Russian gas deliveries during peak consumption periods.
A key change in this negotiation will be Serbia’s demand for guaranteed additional gas quantities within the long-term contract, rather than through special subsequent negotiations. Bajatović also noted that the price of gas in the new contract might differ from the oil formula traditionally used, although the price for Serbia remains highly favorable compared to European market rates.
The negotiations will also address the price structure, with potential separate prices for the base quantities and supplementary quantities of gas, the latter of which incurs additional costs. Serbia will continue to seek flexibility and specific price calculation formulas.
Bajatović reiterated that, during his 17 years as director of “Srbijagas,” Serbia has always secured competitive prices and flexibility on the European market. He reaffirmed Serbia’s determination to rely on Russian gas supplies and expressed skepticism about alternative sources, such as Azerbaijan, due to limited availability.
