Djedovic Handanovic: Negotiations on NIS sanctions avoidance difficult, Serbia between two powers

Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic stated that negotiations on NIS sanctions avoidance were quite difficult, because Serbia was in an unenviable position between two powers - Russia and the United States, and that they required more time than might have been expected in January or February.

– The fourth extension of the operating license of the Serbian Oil Industry (Naftna industrija Srbije) has been granted. It is very important for us that sanctions do not come into force in order to preserve stability and supply of the market and prices, so we will fight in every way to continue the dialogue with both sides, to protect our position – said the minister.

She added that Serbia’s situation was not easy at all, that the circumstances were unpredictable, but that there was something Serbia could do and that was already being done, namely, to increase reserves to the maximum, so that other suppliers besides NIS, which was already the case, could take over the supply.

– Our goal is that the sanctions do not come into force. Serbia has done nothing to contribute to the introduction of sanctions. We can only hope, and above all, to work in that direction to get the best possible result for our citizens, and that is for NIS to continue operating, for the refinery in Pancevo to be able to produce oil derivatives in a stable manner – concluded Minister Djedovic Handanovic.

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

NIS a.d. Novi Sad

Dubravka Đedović Handanović

sanctions on NIS