The Minister of Mining and Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, confirmed that the Serbian Government has supported the Oil Industry of Serbia’s (NIS) request to extend its operating license for an additional 180 days beyond June 27. This extension was requested in a letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The extension aims to ensure the uninterrupted supply of oil and oil products in Serbia and to prevent serious negative impacts on citizens and the economy caused by sanctions.
Minister Đedović Handanović emphasized that recent conflicts in the Middle East have caused significant uncertainty and a sharp 20% rise in oil prices globally. She warned that additional disruptions and sanctions on NIS could jeopardize Serbia’s energy security and harm the region’s population.
She noted that, thanks to diplomatic efforts led by President Vučić and the Serbian government, sanctions on NIS have already been postponed three times.
The special license from OFAC, valid until June 27, has been crucial in allowing NIS to smoothly procure and transport crude oil to the Pančevo refinery.
The minister stressed the priority of maintaining sufficient crude oil supply to keep the refinery operational, ensuring stable energy for the country’s citizens and economy. She concluded by reaffirming ongoing dialogue with all parties to safeguard Serbia’s energy stability, stressing Serbia’s innocence regarding the sanctions imposed on NIS.
