Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated that talks with the Russian delegation regarding the Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) were honest and constructive, emphasizing that NIS is of vital importance for the country’s energy security. She underlined that Serbia will not nationalize NIS or jeopardize the supply of oil and derivatives, and that negotiations will continue with the support of friendly nations. According to her, energy is a matter of high politics, but “Serbia will overcome this crisis as it has previous ones,” thanks to its “stable foreign policy.”
The minister said that the meeting between the Serbian and Russian delegations in Belgrade about the future of NIS was long, open, and sincere. “I am proud of how President Aleksandar Vučić defended the interests of our country and citizens to preserve energy security and stability. We were honest because, in relations with partners, you must be honest, transparent, and constructive,” Đedović Handanović said.
She stressed that the issue of NIS is complex and does not concern only Serbia. “Of course, the oil company in our country is affected, as it supplies most of the domestic market, but these sanctions were not introduced because of Serbia or against its government. They were introduced because of Russia and the relationship between Washington and Moscow,” she explained.
The minister reiterated that NIS remains of vital importance to the Serbian government.
“We will overcome this crisis too”
Đedović Handanović recalled that during the energy crisis three years ago, Serbia maintained the lowest gas supply prices and much lower electricity costs compared to the rest of Europe. “We overcame that crisis, and we will overcome this one as well. Thanks to wise foreign policy, the government, and the president. President Vučić led most of the discussions, while we assisted with technical details and maintaining contact with our friends from the Russian Federation before the talks. We also spoke with the U.S. administration and will continue to do so. Let me remind you that sanctions have been postponed eight times, which is also the result of our efforts, hard work, sound foreign policy, and diplomatic relations. We also had the support of Hungary,” she said.
She emphasized that Serbia made it clear to its Russian partners that “it does not intend to seize their property.”
“We do not want to nationalize assets. Serbia is a country that treats investors well, and we will continue to do so. It is important for them to understand our position—that we will not jeopardize the energy safety and security of Serbia or the supply of oil and petroleum products. We will not allow our citizens to suffer, and the refinery must continue to operate, as it is in everyone’s interest,” she stated.
“Sanctions against NIS are a matter of high politics”
The minister added that negotiations with the Russian side regarding NIS will continue and expressed confidence that a solution will be reached in the coming period. “However, this is an issue of high politics or geopolitics. Energy is always linked to geopolitical matters and is one of the sectors most affected during major conflicts,” she noted.
Đedović Handanović also said that Serbia had received assurances that the gas supply arrangement would be extended until the end of the year, but that this was not sufficient, as Belgrade seeks a long-term deal.
“At the same time, we have filled our reserves, which now total 533 million cubic meters—350 million in Serbia’s Banatski Dvor facility and 183 million in Hungary. That is our job: to ensure sufficient reserves,” the minister concluded in an interview for the evening news program of Radio Television of Serbia.
