Work on the branch of the South Stream passing through Republika Srpska is due to begin in September of next year, said the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik.
After meeting with the president of Gazprom’s Board of Directors Alexey Miller, and the Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic, it was confirmed that all of the formalities should be completed by September next year after which work on the construction of this branch of the gas pipe can proceed.
The formalities include the conduction of a feasibility study and the drafting of the law on the South Stream.
The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Zeljka Cvijanovic, who also held talks with Miller and Dacic, stated that even though Srpska was late in getting involved in the project, it is not lagging behind thanks to a working group formed with Serbia and the input of the Serbian Government.
According to her, due to Serbia’s help, Republika Srpska is acquainted with the process proceeding the construction of the South Stream.
Cvijanovic added that parallel activities are taking place on other levels of government in BH which will allow Republika Srpska to meet its obligations. One of the key issues is the specification of the division of the commercial debt to Gazprom which amounts to 105 million dollars.
Dodik thanked Gazprom for including Srpska in this global project and reassured everyone that Srpska knows exactly what its obligations are and that everything is going to plan.
Representatives of the government of Republika Srpska attended a formal ceremony in Belgrade marking the beginning of construction on the gas pipe passing through Serbia. The value of this project, according to the latest estimates, is 1.9 billion EUR.
