Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlovic said after the meeting with newly appointed US Ambassador Christopher Hill that the country is looking forward to having an agreement with the United States on strategic partnerships, as there is still room for US companies in the implementation of new energy projects.
Minister Mihajlovic stressed that Serbia has done a lot in the field of mining and energy, especially when it comes to drafting the legislative framework. Serbia is in the initial phase of the energy transition, it needs new electricity generation capacities, because it has not built any capacity for 35 years and currently covers more than 70 % of its electricity demand from coal-fired thermal power plants. In her view, priorities include investments in new capacities, an increase in energy efficiency and diversification in the gas sector .
Ambassador Hill agreed that it is important to deepen relations with Serbia at all levels, political, economic and energy. A strategic partnership agreement would greatly facilitate joint projects, especially in the energy sector, where speed is very important, in order to develop projects in line with technological achievements and to influence the increase of energy security.
