The Washington administration has extended the operational license for Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) until January 23, according to a report by RTS (Radio Television of Serbia).
After 84 days of American sanctions against NIS, OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) has granted a license for the continuation of NIS operations.
As RTS previously learned, President Aleksandar Vučić held important discussions today regarding the resolution of the NIS crisis with the Washington administration, OFAC, and the State Department, as well as with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The President will provide more detailed information on what this means for Serbia and the resolution of the sanctions during a broadcast tomorrow on RTS.
Earlier today, Vučić congratulated citizens on the New Year and noted his belief that within the next 24 hours, the country would celebrate “phenomenal political news.”
Last week, on December 24, OFAC issued a new license to NIS allowing negotiations for the sale of the Russian stake, with an extended deadline until March 24. It has been confirmed that the Russians are negotiating the sale of their stake with the Hungarian company MOL.
Since the imposition of sanctions on NIS, there has been no import of crude oil via the Adriatic Pipeline (JANAF). The Pančevo refinery has been out of operation since December 2, leaving Serbia to rely on state reserves and the import of processed petroleum products.
Source: RTS Photo: NIS