Djedović Handanović: Support to NIS’s Petition for Further Postponement of U.S. Sanctions

"At this session of the Government of Serbia's Working Group, we decided to support NIS's petition for a further postponement of sanctions, which the Government is expected to formally confirm on Monday. This week, NIS submitted a request to OFAC for an extension of the license, and previously, it also submitted a request to be delisted from the sanctions list. At this moment, we do not know whether or when this might happen. In any case, the public will be informed about all relevant steps that the government will take," said the Minister.

She reiterated that the potential imposition of sanctions on the Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS) had already been postponed once.

“At the end of February, when the deadline for potential imposition of sanctions against NIS was extended for the first time, the U.S. side had recognised the importance of NIS as a company for all citizens of Serbia, including vital sectors such as the country’s healthcare system, agriculture, and economy. We hope that the new U.S. administration will show understanding on this occasion as well, and we will continue the dialogue with both sides in order to reach a long-term, sustainable solution," she said.

Djedović Handanović stated that the Government of Serbia is coordinating with neighbouring friendly countries regarding this issue.

"We hope that our friends from neighbouring region will support Serbia, and NIS, once again, to prevent the imposition of sanctions and thereby help us protect the interests of the country, citizens, the economy, and regional stability," said the Minister.

The meeting of the Working Group was attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Siniša Mali, Minister without Portfolio in Charge of International Economic Cooperation and the Social Position of the Church in the Country and Abroad, Nenad Popović, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the member of the Board of Directors of the NIS, Dragutin Matanović.