Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said today that the US decision to extend the operating license of the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), which the country has imposed sanctions on due to its majority Russian ownership, has not arrived.
"The Russians do not want to sell their stake in NIS. It's not about money, it's about politics," Vučić said at a press conference after a meeting with teams responsible for the country's energy stability and security.
He stated that there are no indications that the US will extend the license to NIS and today, Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović will inform NIS about this and that permission has been given for NIS's refinery in Pancevo to cease operations.
"NIS will decide whether the refinery will stop operating today or in the coming days," Vučić said.
He stated that it is the 54th day since sanctions were imposed on NIS and that there are no problems with fuel supply, which shows how serious the state is and how much money has been invested in oil and petroleum product reserves.
"The meeting with the teams responsible for the country's energy stability and security was also attended by Prime Minister Đuro Macut, Minister of Finance Siniša Mali, Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić, representatives of the energy sector, NBS Governor Jorgovanka Tabaković, Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Milan Mojsilović and representatives of other state institutions and companies.
Vučić also announced that Serbia will negotiate with other suppliers about gas procurement if an agreement is not reached with the Russians by Friday.
"We do not have a contract for gas, if we do not receive a contract by Friday, we will initiate negotiations on the other side and we will obtain it," said Vučić.
Serbia's long-term gas supply contract with Russia expires at the end of this year.
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