Minister Djedovic Handanovic says she is "realist optimist" about NIS!

Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Sunday that she is a "realist optimist" regarding issue of Petroleum Industry of Serbia, NIS, adding that Serbia cannot influence the negotiations between MOL and the Russian majority owners of NIS, while the OFAC license extensions bring short-term, but at the time crucial relief for Serbia.

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Speaking for Prva TV, Djedovic Handanovic pointed out that Serbia has protected its position and that, if conditions are created for MOL to take over NIS, that will be a better position than it was in 2008.

She stressed that what is most important for the citizens of Serbia is that there have been no shortages regardless of all the challenges, and said this will be the case going forward, too.

The minister said that Serbia faced a very difficult period last year when US sanctions (against NIS) came into force, since the country had no crude oil inflow and the Pancevo refinery was not working, but that it successfully overcame all that.

"The extension of the license by the US administration means that the refinery in Pancevo can continue to operate and that is additional relief and a short-term solution which, at this moment, is crucial, because the Danube water level is low and oil derivatives cannot be transported by barges to the extent necessary, and the refinery must compensate for that. NIS has really done everything possible to plan, above all in these short time frames, the supply of oil, delivery of oil, payment," she said.

She added that this is a challenge for Serbia, but that she expects the refinery to process 13,000 tons daily, which is close to maximum capacity, especially in the second half of August.

She stated that NIS has put its operational reserves of diesel in the amount of about 200,000 tons on the market in order to meet the record demand in August, because the consumption is high, as people travel more during the vacation season.

"If all that proves to be insufficient, we also have a part of state reserves at our disposal. Of course, we carefully planned 3-4 years ago to double those reserves, which we did, and that provided us with more security last year, when we had challenges, but also potentially in the future, if the challenges continue," said Djedovic Handanovic.

She added that it remains to be seen whether the Russian and Hungarian sides will reach an agreement, adding that MOL stated in its quarterly report that the negotiations are in the final stage and that they are progressing and going in the right direction.

"Whether a final agreement will be reached does not depend on Serbia. Serbia has protected its position, and if conditions are created for MOL to take over, our position will be better than in 2008, and that is of extreme importance. And we have preserved, and that really is thanks to the extremely wise policy of President Vucic, relations of the highest possible quality with all parties, and that is not at all simple," the minister pointed out.

She added that Serbia, in the triangle with the Russian Federation and the US, which have their own challenges and misunderstandings and disagreements regarding geopolitical issues, managed to safeguard all its interests and defend them.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)