IT'S OFFICIAL! Serbian Government sends URGENT request to the US: "Serbia does not deserve this"

Photo: Tanjug/AP, Shutterstock

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has sent a new request to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), in which it supports the request of the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) to extend the NIS operating license, which expires on July 29, for an additional 180 days, Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said today.

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"During the previous month as well as in the entire period since January when the US sanctions against NIS were first announced, we have consistently defended our position that sanctions would be very bad for Serbia's energy safety and that of the region and would have significant negative consequences for our country, our citizens and the economy, as well as the entire region. Serbia does not deserve these sanctions in any way, and we once again presented to the US administration all the facts, including all potential negative effects, as well as the measures being taken to bring NIS into line with the conditions set in connection with the Gazprom Neft ownership," Djedovic stated, regarding the letter.

The minister pointed out that, bearing in mind the importance of NIS for the Serbian economy and the company's inability to maintain ongoing operations, the sanctions would seriously threaten the functioning of the economy, as well as energy safety and stability of Serbia and the region. She also stated that extending the license for the requested period of 180 days would contribute to the procurement of crude oil for the Pancevo Refinery on a commercially viable basis and support the energy stability of Serbia and the region.

"The Government of Serbia remains committed to finding a permanent and sustainable solution for NIS, in cooperation with US and Russian partners, which would enable a continuous and safe supply of crude oil and the smooth functioning of the Pancevo Refinery, as the most important capacity for supplying the citizens and economy of Serbia with energy," the minister added.

Djedovic Handanovic thanked the Hungarian Government for its continued support in finding a long-term solution for NIS.

"Up to now, the Hungarian government has always supported Serbia's requests to extend the license to NIS, we expect that they will do it this time as well, and we are grateful for the consistent support from our strategic partner, when it comes to the energy sector," she stated.

(Telegraf Biznis)