The Serbian government has recently approved the construction of a new gas pipeline, which will give the country access to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) port in Greece. This move marks a significant step for Serbia towards diversifying its energy supply, which has been heavily reliant on Russian gas transported through Turkey.

For years, Serbia has been relying on the Russian gas supply transported via the Turkish Stream pipeline, which is a major component of the Balkan Stream project. However, with the new gas pipeline, Serbia is expected to gain access to alternative gas suppliers such as Qatar, Norway, and the USA, which can offer more competitive prices, better terms, and increased energy security.

The new gas pipeline will also strengthen Serbia’s position as a regional energy hub, as it will connect the country with other countries in the region, including Hungary, Bulgaria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will not only boost Serbia’s energy security, but also enhance its geopolitical importance in the region.

Furthermore, the Serbian government is also in talks with Azerbaijan to diversify its energy supply further, and it is likely that these talks will conclude before the end of next year. This indicates that Serbia is taking a proactive approach to reduce its dependence on a single source of energy and increase its access to alternative energy suppliers.

Despite the potential benefits of this move, some experts are concerned about the possible reaction from Russia, which is Serbia’s traditional ally and major energy supplier. Russia has not yet commented on the matter, but it is possible that this could damage Serbian-Russian relations, which could have implications beyond the energy sector.

However, Serbia has made it clear that this move is not intended to harm its relationship with Russia, but rather to diversify its energy supply and increase its energy security. In fact, Serbia has emphasised that it will continue to cooperate with Russia in other areas, such as politics and trade.

In conclusion, Serbia’s decision to build a new gas pipeline is a significant step towards diversifying its energy supply and reducing its dependence on a single source of energy. This move will not only enhance Serbia’s energy security but also strengthen its position as a regional energy hub. While there are concerns about the possible reaction from Russia, Serbia has made it clear that this move is not intended to harm its relationship with Russia, but rather to increase its access to alternative energy suppliers.