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Russia urges Serbia to ratify controversial energy deal DUSAN STOJANOVICAssociated Press Writer Released : Saturday, April 19, 2008 5:34 AM BELGRADE, Serbia-Russia has urged Serbia to finalize a key energy deal, including the much criticized sale of its state oil monopoly to Russia at what some Serbian officials say is a below-market price. Late Friday, Russian Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu signed a protocol with Serbia's Trade Minister Predrag Bubalo which says that the deal should be ratified in Serbia's parliament before the May 11 parliamentary elections. The deal envisages that part of a pan-European gas pipeline would run through Serbia and that Gazprom would buy a majority stake in Serbia's state oil monopoly NIS. Pro-Western ministers in Serbia's caretaker government have blocked a bid by Bubalo and other ministers allied with Serbia's nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica to ratify the agreement, which is estimated to be worth about €1.5 billion (US$2.3 billion). The critics say the Russians should not be allowed to purchase the majority stake in NIS for what they say is the bargain price of €400 million (US$630 million). Pro-Western Serbian President Boris Tadic told Shoigu on Friday that an agreement of such strategic importance can only be ratified by the new Serbian parliament, which will be formed after the May elections, according to a statement issued by Tadic after the meeting. But Kostunica said after meeting the Russian emergencies minister that "it is in the interest of both countries that the deal be finalized as soon as possible." The agreement was signed in Moscow in January, but needs formal approval in the assembly before it can be fully implemented. Ultranationalist Radical Party has called for an emergency parliament session to ratify the agreement. Tadic's Democrats say the session cannot be held without their consent. Kostunica and other nationalist officials have sought to turn Serbia away from EU integration and closer to Russia. Russia has backed Serbia in its dispute with the West over Kosovo. The Serbian government collapsed in the wake of Kosovo's Feb. 17 independence declaration. Kostunica and Tadic clashed over whether Serbia should continue with EU integration or defy the nations that have recognized Kosovo's statehood. The May elections are considered crucial for the country because they will decide whether to support Tadic's pro-EU camp or return to isolationism similar to the era of strongman Slobodan Milosevic.
