The Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović announced today that the Russian side has agreed to sell its share of ownership in NIS.
“The Russian owners have agreed to sell their share of ownership in Naftna Industrija Srbije (Petroleum Industry of Serbia), which is 56.15 percent. They are negotiating about it, we are very involved and informed about these negotiations. We give comments not on a daily, but on an hourly basis, because we are the second largest shareholder with 29.8 percent and because it is in our vital interest that NIS continues to operate, that it continues to operate vitally. It is absolutely necessary for the energy stability of our country,” stated Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović.
She also stated why information about who the third party in the negotiations is has not yet been presented to the public.
“The reason why we have not yet revealed to the public who the third party is, is that these are business talks between serious companies, and until they are finished, or at least important details are defined, it is not serious to talk about it. Nothing is being hidden from the public. As you have seen, we have communicated very transparently about everything so far. Our request is clear, the refinery must continue to work and a new supply of crude oil from JANAF must be secured as soon as possible. I remind you, not a drop of oil has reached Serbia for 43 days. Citizens did not feel this, precisely because we worked hard to be prepared for all scenarios if and when challenges arise with Naftna Industrija Srbije,” she stated.
She also spoke about the request submitted by NIS to the US government for the extension of its operating license.
“What is also important is that NIS, through its lawyers in the United States, submitted a request to the American government for the extension of its operating license, meaning that it can continue to supply crude oil, that the refinery can continue to operate, and we are now awaiting the decision of the American government,” stated Minister Đedović Handanović.
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Source: Nova.rs, Photo: N1