“Third cold war between Serbia and Croatia in three months”, title the daily Flash from Belgrade, illustrating the latest rise in tension between Belgrade and Zagreb. In question, the eighth package of sanctions of the European Union (EU) against Russia which includes a price cap and restrictions on the maritime transport of Russian oil to third countries. Serbia will be affected by these restrictions: it imports Russian oil by sea via the Croatian port terminal of Omisalj, on the island of Krk (see below), from where it is then transported to Serbia thanks to the Adriatic pipeline Janaf.
According Vespers List in Zagreb, “Serbia was initially to benefit from a derogation granted by the EU”, like Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, countries with no access to the sea, “in the name of Western Balkan energy security”. However, “on the initiative of Croatia, this derogation has been removed, Brussels considering that Serbia should have diversified its oil imports so as not to depend solely on Russian oil”, Explain Vespers List.
“Serbia faces sanctions on Russian oil, President Vucic enrages”, abstract Nova, belgrad daily oppo