A session of the Government of Serbia is underway, and the topic is the current situation in NIS.
The first to address the session was Minister of Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, who said in her introduction that “we have received a clear message from the U.S. that the ownership of NIS must change.”
“Things are very clear, NIS is under sanctions. We have repeatedly received extended licenses to operate, but as of October 9 we are under sanctions. We have three months for the transaction to be completed, for the ownership of NIS to change, and for the U.S. to approve the decision. Our reserves are preserved, and citizens have not felt any changes so far. It is impossible to manage something like this, and I am ready to resign because I do not see how we can overcome this situation,” said Đedović Handanović, adding that for 27 days Serbia has not received “a single drop of oil” from JANAF.
“We can wait another three or four days because we are aware that there will be no oil supply,” said Đedović, adding that oil reserves are measured “in tens of days.”
She reminded that we have three months to complete the transaction regarding the potential sale of part of NIS. Đedović said that she is ready to resign due to the situation.
The Minister of Finance says the situation with NIS threatens all aspects of the Serbian economy.
“Our growth, stability, credit rating. We are the only ones with a credit rating in the region. This situation threatens everything you can imagine. I know, President, that you know that. And regardless of your moral considerations, I think we need to think about ourselves and take certain steps. I know many think as I do, but I don’t know why they’re not saying it,” Mali said.
He said that Serbia fully cooperated with the Russians and supported every one of their proposals.
“And interestingly, they have not sought any solution with us. They did not even offer to find a solution together with us. So, President, I know it is a difficult moral decision, but we have to think about ourselves. We have given everyone chances, shown consideration for everyone. If it comes to a sale, and if some Arabs do not want to accept it, then we must offer a higher price. We will jeopardize everything if we do not do this,” the Minister of Finance said.
“We must take matters into our own hands,” Minister Mali said.
Request for NIS denied
We remind that the U.S. rejected the request submitted by the Russian owners to the American OFAC, in which they sought an extension of the operating license on the basis of negotiations with a third party. The request stated that the Russian side was ready to relinquish control and influence over NIS to a third party, but the American side rejected it.
The U.S. imposed full sanctions on NIS due to majority Russian ownership on October 9.
MORE TOPICS:
STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS: “Removing Russian control over NIS increases Serbia’s energy security”
Source: Nova, Foto: Alo