Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said the Russian energy company Gazprom is open to talks if Serbia should need additional quantities of Russian natural gas during the winter, and pointed out that Russia has understanding for the position of Serbia which is being asked to impose sanctions on his country.

Botsan-Kharchenko told the Tanjug news agency that, with the initial, first agreement, Russia enabled Serbia to get certain quantities of natural gas at the lowest possible prices, following which additional quantities were agreed at somewhat higher prices.

The initial price remains the lowest currently in Europe, said the Ambassador, adding: “This is a very important thing and my message is that, whenever we talk about energy and natural gas, we don’t forget that we have the initial agreement with a very low and favorable price.”

Regarding additional quantities, that is between Serbia’s national gas supplier Srbijagas and Gazprom, said Botsan-Kharchenko. Gazprom is ready for and open to negotiations, as for the price, that is up to them, the Ambassador added.