Serbia has taken a leading position among regional peers in meeting the requirements to join the EU single electricity market, government officials said following high-level talks in Brussels. Belgrade aims to be among the first countries to formally integrate once the remaining steps are completed.
The discussions involved Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović and Emanuele Giaufret from the European External Action Service, focusing on ongoing energy reforms, upcoming investments, and Serbia’s progress in aligning with EU regulatory standards.
In parallel with electricity market integration, the government is advancing gas sector reforms, emphasizing that supply security will depend on new infrastructure and diversified import routes. Key initiatives include gas interconnectors with Romania and North Macedonia, a main transmission pipeline from Niš to Horgos, and expansion of underground gas storage facilities. Serbia is also preparing to cooperate with Azerbaijan on a gas-fired power plant, adding flexible generation capacity to the system.
Officials also discussed the future of the national oil company NIS, noting that the GazpromNeft-MOL agreement on the Russian stake creates conditions for a stable resolution, including the removal of US sanctions affecting the company. Regarding nuclear energy, preliminary studies conducted with French EDF have assessed network readiness, reactor technologies, and potential international partners, paving the way for future decisions.
The talks additionally reviewed energy projects already approved under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and identified further initiatives that could qualify for EU grant support in the near future.
