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Serbia is diversifying its energy supply away from Russia and is already in talks to buy natural gas through a European Union purchasing mechanism, President Aleksandar Vucic said in an interview with Reuters.
The Balkan country, which aims to join the EU, is one of the few remaining buyers in Europe of Russian natural gas - over 80% of its supplies come from Russia.
But the EU has been pressuring Serbia to find alternatives as it tries to reduce the flow of money into President Vladimir Putin's war coffers for Ukraine.
Serbia failed to secure a new long-term contract with Gazprom last year, and a short-term agreement reached in December expires on March 31.
Vučić said he understands the EU's policy towards Russian energy, saying: "we have to adapt our energy policies to certain demands and requirements."
"However, we will still have large amounts of Russian gas, but we are getting more and more from the Europeans," Vučić added in an interview at the presidency in Belgrade, with an EU flag next to him.
He said Serbia aims to secure 500 million cubic meters of gas per year, about a fifth of its needs, through the EU's joint gas purchasing initiative, which it joined last year.
Serbia is already buying gas from Azerbaijan, via Bulgaria, and construction of a pipeline to North Macedonia, which will give Serbia access to liquefied natural gas from Greece, should start this year, he said.
An oil pipeline connecting Serbia with neighboring Romania is expected to be completed in 2027.
"This is a great diversification," Vučić said.
Balancing with Russia and the EU
Serbia cultivates historical, cultural and religious ties with Russia.
Moscow supports Belgrade in its opposition to the independence of Kosovo, a former predominantly Albanian southern province. Vučić has sought to balance relations with the Kremlin and Serbia's bid for EU membership.
This line has become increasingly difficult to follow since Russia's full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Russian-owned Serbian oil company NIS was placed under US sanctions, forcing its expected sale to the Hungarian company MOL.
This includes a common reserve and export restrictions for reusable scrap metal and rare metal waste.
Meanwhile, Vučić said he is committed to EU membership. He said the economy has improved, as have living standards and debt levels.
"Without a doubt, as long as I am president, Serbia will be on its path towards the EU," he said.
The EU has long demanded that Serbia strengthen the rule of law, media freedoms, and eradicate organized crime and corruption if it wants to join.
Critics say recent reforms to the judicial system would reduce its independence, complicating Serbia's path to the EU.
Vučić said that authorities are ready to "review" the controversial package of judicial laws with European institutions.
Vučić in search of a presentiment
Vučić, a populist, suffered a political blow when the roof of a railway station collapsed in Novi Sad in 2024, killing 16 people. The tragedy sparked nationwide protests demanding an end to corruption and early elections.
Vučić acknowledged that corruption is a problem in Serbia and that he is “unhappy” with efforts to eradicate it. “It is about corruption in our state institutions… including politicians.”
However, he dismissed the protests as a plot by international security agencies including those from Croatia, Albania and neighboring Kosovo to overthrow the government, without providing evidence.
Officials from these countries have denied these allegations.
Vučić's second and final term ends in 2027. Amid street protests, he has said he will call early elections this year.
He said he is not sure what he will do next, but did not rule out a return to party politics or a bid to become prime minister.
"I would like to be less involved in politics or not at all, but taking care of my legacy may require some kind of commitment, we'll see," he said./ Reuters
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