Serbia Concludes NIS Sale Negotiations, Eyes Gazpromneft-MOL Deal

Serbia has completed its role in the negotiations concerning the sale of Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), according to Dubravka Đedović Handanović, the country's Minister of Mining and Energy. The Serbian side has finalized its contractual obligations with MOL, and the minister expressed optimism that Gazpromneft and the Hungarian company will successfully reach a mutually agreeable deal.

Đedović Handanović conveyed her hope that the agreement will also be acceptable to the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Speaking during a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, she noted that the operational and negotiation licenses are nearing their expiration. "We have little time left until the expiration of the operational license and the negotiation license. We hope that the Russian side will do everything to avoid a disruption in the supply of crude oil, which is crucial for the operation of the refinery in Pančevo," the minister stated.

The discussion also touched upon the construction of the Serbia-Hungary oil pipeline. Minister Đedović Handanović emphasized that diversifying oil sources is key to Serbia's long-term energy security. She anticipates further discussions with the new Hungarian government regarding the advancement of this project.

Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the significance of the long-standing partnership with Gazprom and the stable supply of Russian gas. Serbia is seeking an extension of the current gas arrangement, which is due to expire on June 30, for an additional three months. The parties also explored potential cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, including the exchange of technical information and support for workforce development in nuclear energy-related sectors.