New Europe: EU pushes Belgrade to reconsider South Stream plans

The European Union said Serbia needs to get in line with regional energy regulations, notably as they relate to the Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline.

Belgrade and Brussels begin formal discussion on accession in January. In a status report, the EU said the Serbian government has made progress in aligning itself with European governance, but it’s lacking in key foreign policy and economic areas.

“Serbia needs to step up its efforts towards alignment with the EU acquis in particular in the fields of energy -- including on the South Stream gas pipeline,” it said on October 8.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met with Russian officials in Moscow last week to discuss South Stream, which Russia views as a means to diversify a gas transit network bypassing Ukraine.
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