Vucic to ASK Americans for one thing regarding NIS: "I will personally make plea, it's ABSOLUTELY necessary"

Photo: Tanjug/RADE PRELIC, Shutterstock

President Aleksandar Vucic said today that Serbia cannot insist on the right of first refusal when it comes to buying NIS (Petroleum Industry of Serbia) given that it is a minority owner in a Russian state company.

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"NIS is owned by a Russian state company that has 56% of shares. The Russians are the owners, not us. NIS is one of the country's (Serbia's) most important resources. The US imposed sanctions, and I spent nine months trying to reach a solution, the deadlines got moved. Even then, I clearly said that further delays will not be accepted," said Vucic.

He added that geopolitics affects everything, but that Serbia managed to secure sufficient quantities of fuel despite sanctions.

"Today is the 41st day since sanctions were imposed, and no one has noticed that we are not getting oil from JANAF (pipeline). We acted responsibly and seriously," stressed the president.

Vucic added that Serbia respects the rights of the Russian owners:

"We cannot insist on the right of first refusal, because the Russians have the right to sell to whoever they want, that's not a voluntary society. Everything they asked for, we signed. I had several conversations with the US side yesterday, and communication is ongoing on a daily basis."

The president noted that negotiations are underway with three interested companies.

"Nothing has been finalized yet, and everything depends on the offers. We have talks in the next three days, I will personally ask them (US) to give us a license and to continue our work," concluded Vucic.

(Telegraf Biznis)