Mining and Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlovic said on Thursday that Serbia is getting supplies of Russian gas through Bulgaria but is preparing for any eventuality.

She told the state TV (RTS) that the country has more than a month’s worth of gas in storage and has secured heating oil. She added that Russia can supply gas to Serbia via Hungary. “The Bulgarians have had their suppplies cut but the transit is going ahead normally which does not mean we are not prepared for every situation,” she said.

Bulgarian officials said on Wednesday that they would review all contracts with Russia’s Gazprom and would not stop the flow of gas in transit. “The transit will not be affected for now but we can always expect that situation. We are prepared for it,” she said. According to the minister, Serbia has more than a month’s worth of gas in storage, along with substitute fuels and can always limit supplies.

“We are preparing for the winter season which will not be easy for anyone in Europe, especially not countries that are 100 percent dependent on Russian gas like us. We are looking into alternative routes. Transgas has some 10 percent of free capacities in the Balkan Flow which is about half of our annual consumption. Bulgartransgas has free capacities and a Turkish operator can move those amounts which will be enough to secure our stability,” she said.

She said that Serbian electricity prices are the lowest in Europe, adding that the prices are not realistic and have to be amended to be sustainable and help the power company (EPS) “get out of the crisis on its feet not its knees”. “This is a question of the survival of the EPS,” she said.