Djedovic Handanovic: We are dissatisfied with MOL’s proposal regarding the Refinery, we remain committed to negotiations

The Serbian side is dissatisfied with the proposal it received regarding NIS. Serbia certainly remains committed to continuing negotiations with this Hungarian company and finding a compromise, but not at any cost, said Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handovic after a meeting with representatives of the MOL company.

– We are defending and will continue to defend the interests of our country – Djedovic Handanovic stressed on Instagram after several hours of negotiations with representatives of the Hungarian company.

The relevant minister emphasized that she was not satisfied with the proposal she had received, relating to the Pančevo Refinery.

– It concerns the red lines that we said that Serbia would not cross - primarily the future operation of the Pancevo Refinery, crude oil processing capacities and how to ensure that the levels we agree on remain respected, that refinery processing, or oil derivatives, cover the Serbian market to a certain extent, primarily for the sake of the Serbian economy – said Djedovic Handanovic.

As she stated, this is very important, because NIS is a strategically dominant company in the oil sector.

– We want it to remain that way, but also because of the obligations assumed by NIS in the past that are important for the Republic of Serbia and how to enable them to either be fulfilled or for the state to receive appropriate compensation. What remains is to wait for the new proposal from MOL and for it to arrive as soon as possible – said the minister.

She emphasized that Serbia’s interest was clear, which was to protect the citizens, the country, and the Serbian economy.

– Naftna industrija Srbije represents and is critical energy infrastructure. To be clear, this is about a contract between future shareholders, MOL on one side, and the Republic of Serbia on the other, i.e. the obligations that MOL needs to fulfill as someone who will manage critical energy infrastructure in Serbia – concluded Djedovic Handanovic.

NIS a.d. Novi Sad

NIS a.d. Petrol Rafinerija nafte Pančevo

Ministarstvo rudarstva i energetike Republike Srbije

MOL Serbia d.o.o. Beograd

MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Budapest

Pančevo Refinery

Dubravka Đedović Handanović

sale of NIS