Serbia Calls for Closer Energy Cooperation

Serbia is interested in expanding ties with Iran in power sector following the implementation of Iran’s nuclear deal in January last year.

Serbian Minister of Energy and Mining Aleksandar Antic made the statement after talks with Iran’s Ambassador Hossein Mola Abdollahi in Belgrade on Friday, Mehr News Agency reported.

Pointing to the upcoming conference on introducing Iran’s trade and economic capabilities in Serbia, Abdollahi added that representatives from active Iranian private and public sectors in various fields, including energy, will take part in the conference and discuss ways for expanding long-term collaboration between the two sides.

The ambassador also voiced the private sector’s readiness to participate in joint ventures with Serbia, adding that new capacities for cooperation will be announced during Iran-Serbia’s 15th Joint Economic Commission’s meeting to be held later this month. Expressing hope that constructive talks would be held during his visit to Tehran on expansion of bilateral trade, Antic called for Iran’s participation in the privatization process of Serbia’s Pancevo refinery. He did not elaborate.

Serbia imports oil, natural gas and coal to meet 90% of its energy needs. Although the country has produced oil and gas in small quantities since the mid-1950s, it is heavily reliant on imports, mostly from Russia.