The Government of Serbia sent a new request to the United States

The Government of Serbia sent a new request to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of Finance, in which it supported the request of the Oil Industry of Serbia to extend the valid operating license of NIS, which expires on July 29, for an additional 180 days, Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedović Handanović said today.

"And in the previous month, as well as in the entire period since January when the American sanctions against NIS were first announced, we have consistently defended our position that it would be very bad for the energy security of Serbia and the region if sanctions were to occur and that they would produce significant negative consequences for our country, our citizens and the economy, as well as the entire region," said Djedović Handanović, the relevant ministry announced.

As he says, Serbia did not deserve these sanctions.

"We once again presented the American administration with 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 ownership of Gazpromneft," the minister said.

She pointed out, bearing in mind the importance of NIS for the Serbian economy and the company's inability to maintain current operations, that sanctions would seriously threaten the functioning of the economy, as well as the energy security and stability of Serbia and the region.

She also pointed out that extending the license to the requested period of 180 days would contribute to the procurement of crude oil for the Pančevo 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 American 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.

Djedović Handanović thanked the Hungarian Government for its continued support in finding a long-term solution for the Serbian Oil Industry.

"Until now, the Hungarian Government has always supported Serbia's request to extend the license to NIS, we expect that it will do so this time as well and we are grateful for the consistent support of our strategic partner when it comes to the energy sector," stated the Minister of Mining and Energy.