Serbia ready to increase Russian gas transit to EU - deputy PM

MOSCOW. Oct 25 (Interfax) - Serbia is ready to increase Russian gas transit to the European Union via its territory, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin said in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper.

"Yes, indeed. As you know, we have signed an agreement with Gazprom to increase gas imports. And, of course, thank you for that. We are technically prepared to do so," Vulin said in response to a corresponding question.

The imports of Russian gas is a reason for Serbia's economic stability, he said.

"Russia offers us very fair prices, which are much lower than on the European market and, in particular, those of the U.S. So we are happy and grateful," Vulin said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that Serbia and Russia had agreed on the terms of gas supply in the coming winter. Vucic spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on October 20 and thanked Moscow for the readiness to supply gas to Serbia in the upcoming winter season, Western media said.