Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said he expects a pipeline agreement with Russia's state gas monopoly OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) will be ratified by the Serbian parliament by the end of July, Russia's daily Kommersant reports Friday.
The deal, estimated to be worth about $2.3 billion, envisages part of pan-European gas pipeline South Stream would run through Serbia and Gazprom would buy a majority stake in Serbia's state oil monopoly NIS for $630 million.
Critics within the Serbian government say Gazprom shouldn't be allowed to purchase the majority stake in NIS for what they say is a bargain price.
Serbia failed to ratify the deal before the general elections in May, despite Russia's pressure to do so.
Djelic also told Kommersant that Russian flag carrier Aeroflot-Russian Airlines (AFLT.RS) is still interested in purchasing Serbian state air company JAT Airways.