Bogoljub Karic Also Interested in NIS

Bogoljub Karic, president of the Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Serbia, has sent official initiatives to the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding ongoing discussions about the future ownership structure of NIS, Blic reports.

The main idea behind the initiative, details of which were published by the Belgrade-based newspaper Blic, is to preserve the strategic national interests of the Republic of Serbia, the country’s energy stability, and the possibility for Serbian capital, Serbian industrialists, and domestic businesspeople to participate in the future of one of the most important economic systems in the country.

- We emphasize that this initiative is not directed against any existing partner, nor against the discussions already taking place at the international level. On the contrary, our goal is to find, in the spirit of friendship, partnership, and mutual respect, a model that will preserve the stability of NIS, protect Serbia’s interests, ensure the energy security of citizens and the economy, preserve jobs and the company’s development potential, and enable a significant part of the strategic energy system to remain connected with the citizens of Serbia and future generations, the initiative states.

In the letter to the Russian president, Blic reports, it was particularly emphasized that the Serbian people do not forget the historical friendship with Russia and the support the Russian side has provided over the years to the development of NIS and Serbia’s energy sector.

- We expressed our belief that enabling the participation of Serbian capital in preserving NIS would be remembered as a historic example of brotherly support and understanding between the Serbian and Russian peoples. The Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Serbia is ready, if there is interest and support from the relevant institutions and partners, to prepare a serious and responsible model of a Serbian economic consortium that would participate in this process, with full respect for the laws of the Republic of Serbia, international obligations, and the interests of all parties, the initiative states.

Regarding the financial proposal, if discussions and genuine interest in cooperation take place, Karic’s association stated that it is prepared to offer terms that, as they claim, “are not refused — serious, fair, and worthy of the strategic importance of NIS, as well as the historic moment in which these discussions are taking place.”

- We believe that today, more than ever, it is important for Serbia to preserve its strategic resources, economic dignity, and energy stability, while remaining a country that builds bridges of cooperation and friendship with all partners around the world, the Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Serbia stated.

NIS a.d. Novi Sad

Udruženje industrijalaca i preduzetnika Srbije, Beograd

Oil Industry of Serbia

Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Serbia

Bogoljub Karic

sale of NIS