Russian Ambassador Believes in Quick End to Talks on Sale of Russian Stake in Oil Industry of Serbia

Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/MO)

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko said on March 24 that he believed Gazprom would soon wrap up talks with its partners on the sale of Russia's stake in the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS) and that "with that foundation and stability the Oil Industry of Serbia will continue developing in the best way."

Botsan-Kharchenko told the Belgrade UNA TV station that he was acquainted with the progress of negotiations on the sale of Russia's stake in the Oil Industry of Serbia, but that he was not a direct participant, due to which only the companies participating in them could talk about the details, above all Russia's Gazprom, the majority owner.

He said that the decision to sell the Oil Industry of Serbia was hard for the Russian side "above all for moral reasons" and that it was important for it "for whoever buys the Industry to continue developing it like Gazprom Neft planned."

Commenting on Serbia's gas arrangement with Russia which expires on March 31, Botsan-Kharchenko said that he expected a new agreement to be signed soon.

Asked whether there were any "hiccups" in relations between Serbia and Russia, he said not in political cooperation nor had there been any before.

"There were some questions that required additional debate, for example the question of Serbian made weapons appearing in the hands of Ukrainian forces. There were talks immediately and we quickly reached an understanding and are coming to the point where everything is being respected," the ambassador told UNA TV.

Botsan-Kharchenko said that the NATO attack on FR Yugoslavia in 1999 "brought international law down" and that the consequences could now be seen in the Middle East.