Serbia sees Azerbaijan as an important partner in ensuring its energy security, Strahinja Obrenovic, expert in European Energy Policy and Law, told Report.
He said Azerbaijan's growing role in the global energy market is shifting the countries of the Western Balkans toward new sources of supply.
"A trend of intensifying cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan in recent years is evident, driven by the excellent political relations between the two countries," Obrenovic said.
The expert noted that the Balkan region is interested in diversifying gas supplies, since for their European integration, the countries must reduce their dependence on Russian sources.
Speaking about projects through which Serbia can increase sustainability of energy supplies, Obrenovic noted the gas power plant in Niš to be constructed jointly with Azerbaijan.
"The energy transition process is particularly challenging for the countries of the Western Balkans, which still largely rely on coal for electricity generation. <…> The project (of the gas power plant construction - ed.) has emerged at a time when the issue of secure electricity and heating supply is being raised," the expert said.