BELGRADE: According to Vucic, a decision on the oil company must be made by next week, but he is not in favor of nationalization.
Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister called on Aleksandar Vučić to consider nationalizing NIS.
Sinisa Mali emphasized that taking this step is necessary in the face of mounting pressure and threats to the country's economy. At an extraordinary government meeting, he stated that the situation surrounding the oil and gas company has become critical and affects key parameters of the country's stability. "We have no choice—the situation with NIS (Neutral Industry of Serbia) threatens everything: our growth, stability, and credit rating," the First Deputy Prime Minister explained.
The Americans are not allowing it, and that's that.
NIS is the only company in Serbia engaged in hydrocarbon exploration and production, and also owns a large refinery in Pancevo. The company dominates the domestic petroleum products market, with a network of petrol stations also operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Romania, totaling over 400 stations.
The Serbian government owns only 29.87% of the shares. The rest belongs to Gazprom.
The Russian owners of Serbia's NIS have submitted a request to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to extend the company's operating license, based on negotiations with a third party. Croatian authorities have expressed a willingness to buy NIS.
But most likely, the Americans want to kick us out and move in themselves.
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