Serbia expects to sign a memorandum of cooperation with Azerbaijan soon regarding the construction of a gas power plant near the Serbian city of Niš, Serbia's Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović said at a meeting in Belgrade with Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy Anar Akhundov and a delegation from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Report informs.
"Đedović Handanović stated that the construction of the gas power plant near Niš is of strategic importance for Serbia, expressing hope that the memorandum with the Azerbaijani side on cooperation for this project will be signed soon," according to a statement from the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy's press service.
The minister emphasized that the project is important for Serbia's electricity supply and supply reliability, and will allow both countries to strengthen their strategic partnership in gas supply, which began in 2023.
She stated that the construction of this power plant is one of the priority projects in Serbia's new "Energy Development Strategy and Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan" and was discussed during meetings between the presidents of both countries.
Đedović Handanović emphasized that the next steps in implementing the joint project will be determined through dialogue between the Ministry of Mining and Energy and energy companies EPS, Srbijagas, and SOCAR. The meeting was also attended by EPS General Director Dušan Živković and Srbijagas General Director Dušan Bajatović.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously highlighted the importance of negotiations between Baku and Belgrade on cooperation in the energy sector and the construction of the gas power plant.