Starović: I believe that import of Russian oil will be enabled regardless of obstructions from Croatia

State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nemanja Starović, expressed belief that Serbia will succeed in the next month and half, in cooperation with the friendly countries form the region and the most powerful EU Member States, to achieve its goal in order to continue to be allowed to import Russian oil through Janaf, regardless of all obstructions coming from Croatia.

Starović, as a guest on Television K1, said that the official Zagreb is not the one who can dictate the policy of the European block, since this is an issue to be resolved by the key EU Member States, and that in this respect yesterday’s meetings of President Aleksandar Vučić with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in Prague are important.

“Croatian diplomacy did its best for the exclusion of Serbia from the derogation, i.e. to make us in such a manner the target of EU sanctions to a certain degree. However, this decision has been postponed until 1 December", Starović said.

According to his words, the Balkans were at their best yesterday in Prague in terms of providing great support to Serbia, including the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, as well as Prime Ministers of Greece, Albania and Hungary, while, on the other hand, Croatia demonstrated its continuing anti-Serbian policy.

Starović said that Croatia has no real economic interest for such position on the import of Russian oil to Serbia through Janaf, since 70 % of the Company revenue comes exactly from the transport of oil to Serbia.

"It is the policy: “May neighbour’s cow die, even if two cows of mine die too’ (in other words, sentiment that harm to others is satisfying (even more than benefit to oneself). In economic sense, Croatia has economic interest in transport of oil through Janaf to Serbia. They wish to impose with their political actions a burden more on the shoulders of Serbian economy and citizens, hoping, if we are excluded from derogation, that we will have to procure oil which will be at least 20 % more expensive”, Starović said.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that in Croatia they are very well aware of the fact that they would suffer certain damage, but they reckon that the damage to Serbia will be greater.

"I don’t believe that they are going to make it, which is the reason why I emphasise this Balkan solidarity shown yesterday and I believe that we will, in cooperation with friendly states from the region and EU, succeed in achieving our goal. We have nothing to talk to the official Zagreb about, because it is an issue for Brussels, Paris and Berlin”, Starović said.

Starović mentioned that he would not rule out the possibility of attempt of Croatia to impose bilateral sanctions against Serbia, but he also emphasised that the citizens of Serbia need to know that there will be oil and that Serbia will be able to provide it at the most favourable price, regardless of all obstructions coming from Zagreb.