Djuric: Strategic energy agreement with US an important step

WASHINGTON - By signing an agreement with the US on strategic cooperation in the energy sector, Serbia has taken an important, responsible step towards advancing its partnership with the US and a major step forward towards ensuring long-term energy security, says Serbian FM Marko Djuric.

"Our country's power consumption will quadruple in the next two decades and we need partnerships with industries, companies and countries that have successfully increased their production capacities in the past decades," Djuric said after signing the agreement with US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Jose W Fernandez in Washington on Wednesday.

The document will facilitate green transition in Serbia and ensure better access to clean energy, in line with Serbia's European aspirations, a statement released by the Serbian MFA quoted Djuric as saying.

"At the same time, the agreement on strategic cooperation in the energy sector sends a strong message about Serbia's commitment to advancing the overall relations with the US, and the word 'strategic' itself says that this step brings us another step closer to a strategic partnership and strategic, good, quality long-term relations with the US," Djuric said.

Fernandez said the agreement would take Serbia-US cooperation to a higher level.

He said the ability to work on clean energy and the opportunity for US companies to invest in clean energy technologies in Serbia were highly appreciated by the US.

After the signing ceremony, Djuric and Fernandez held a bilateral meeting to discuss various aspects of Serbia-US cooperation in the energy sector.