Vucic: There will be no gas cans, we have agreed on imports with MOL, although the fire at the refinery complicates the situation

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated last night on RTS that citizens should not worry about the sanctions imposed on Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS), claiming that the state had a plan to secure energy sources and stability in supply.

– I came to tell people not to worry. The first day we have problems - we will solve them and protect Serbia. There will be no gas cans, we will have enough electricity, I believe, but we have to deal with that in the coming years. We will also solve all problems with gas – said Vucic.

He added that he would do his best to ensure that no one’s property was taken away, although some domestic banks were also exposed to secondary risk due to the Dina Card.

– If it happens that it is impossible to operate, I asked them to find a buyer, to solve it themselves. Nationalization is the last option – said the Serbian President.

Speaking about the conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Vucic stated that an agreement had been reached on the import of petroleum products through the company MOL, which, as he pointed out, is the largest importer to Serbia. However, a fire in one of their largest refineries, according to him, could affect deliveries.

– We have agreed on imports with MOL, but you saw that their largest refinery burned down. Now the question is whether they will have it for themselves. If they do, I am sure they will give it to us. This thing with Hungary has directly affected us, it will be reflected in GDP, salaries and pensions. We have to make sure that everything that can work - works – said Vucic, adding that he had also discussed that with European representatives, “trying to find different options, of which there are not many.”

Predsedništvo Republike Srbije

NIS a.d. Novi Sad

MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Budapest

Serbian President

Naftna industrija Srbije

MOL Group

oil

import of petroleum products

fire at MOL refinery

import of gas