Djedovic Handanovic: US sanctions against NIS won't cause crisis, there are several option, we're satisfied

Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic has said that the conversation between President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, and Chairman of the Gazprom Neft Board of Directors Aleksandr Dyukov was honest, open and constructive, and that citizens have no reason to worry about an energy crisis because of the US sanctions against NIS (Petroleum Industry of Serbia).

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Djedovic Handanovic told RTS that the Government will continue to work on finding a solution regarding NIS.

"We will continue to talk and work to find a solution. There will be no energy crisis," said Djedovic Handanovic.

She pointed out that when talking with partners, it is important to look for constructive solutions, while Serbia has always been a good destination for investors.

"In a relationship with partners, you must be honest, you must be transparent and you must look for constructive solutions. This question is not easy. It does not concern Serbia. These sanctions were not introduced because of Serbia, nor because of the authorities in Serbia, nor against the authorities in Serbia. They were introduced because of Russia and because of the relationship between the United States and Russia," the minister explained.

She said that Vucic has mostly held talks with partners and friends from the Russian Federation.

"The sanctions were postponed eight times," she noted and added that Serbia's energy security will not be threatened.

"We have several options and we are satisfied. We will not allow our citizens to suffer. The refinery (in Pancevo) must work," Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic told RTS.

The minister added that there is no need for citizens to make stockpiles because the state has enough reserves, and that she is sure that a solution will be found.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)