OREANDA-NEWS Gazprom is currently preparing a new long-term pipeline gas supply contract with Serbia, and relevant instructions have been given. This was stated by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, TASS reports.

According to him, the issue was discussed at a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Alexander Vucic, when the Serbian leader flew to Moscow to participate in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Vucic earlier expressed hope that it would be possible to keep gas supplies from Russia on "good terms." The politician stressed that Russian energy resources are of exceptional importance for Belgrade.

Prior to that, Dusan Bajatovic, director of Serbiyagaz, said that Belgrade would like to sign a ten-year contract, and the Serbian side hopes to agree on the terms by the end of May. At the same time, Dubravka Djedovic-Handanovic, Minister of Mining and Energy of the European Republic, said that the minimum contract period is three years.