Serbia to request extension of deadlines for Russian capital's exit from NIS

Serbia will request an extension of deadlines for completing all operations related to the exit of Russian capital from the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), stated Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic. She said on TV Pink that the deadline was set until February 25 for the complete exit of Russian capital and interests from NIS, adding that the Serbian Government had spoken with both sides, and that the government’s working teams had already had several meetings.

– We did not need these sanctions, but Serbia did nothing to contribute to this. These sanctions are all-encompassing when it comes to the Russian energy sector, so they have no explicit connection with Serbia, and on the other hand they have affected us – Djedovic Handanovic pointed out.

She also announced that both Russian and American partners would talk because, as she says, it is in the interest of both sides, especially with the arrival of the Trump administration, to find a solution.

– Trump said that he wants to be a peacemaker, so that should be put into a broader context, which will probably require more time, and we will work on that and get a certain extension, if the American administration is willing to do so. It is expected that Russia will present a comprehensive proposal, and Serbia will have to wait and prepare for different scenarios – the minister stated.

She also noted that it was still early to talk about options for NIS and that we should wait for the two sides to start talks, and emphasized that with the arrival of the new administration, some time would be needed to review things and start talks.

Djedovic Handanovic also said that our country had already felt the consequences of the sanctions on NIS, especially regarding the increase in market prices in the preceding two or three weeks.

– Now the prices have stabilized, I hope that there will be a drop in prices on Friday. We cannot influence global oil prices, but we can monitor the market, be in communication with all oil companies – she said.

NIS a.d. Novi Sad

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

Naftna industrija Srbije ad Novi Sad

NIS

Ministry of Mining and Energy

Dubravka Đedović Handanović

Donald Trump

introduction of sanctions on NIS

Russian capital in NIS

Russian energy sector