Serbian Government Sends New Request to Delay Sanctions Against NIS

The Government of Serbia has submitted a new request to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, supporting the request by Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) to extend its current operating license by another 180 days, said Minister of Mining and Energy.

24.07.2025. 15:28

Serbian Government Sends New Request to Delay Sanctions Against NIS

"Over the past month, as well as since January when U.S. sanctions against NIS were first announced, we have consistently defended our position that such sanctions would be extremely harmful to Serbia’s and the region’s energy security. They would have significant negative consequences for our country, citizens, and economy, as well as the entire region," Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said, according to a statement from the ministry.

She stated that Serbia has done nothing to deserve these sanctions.

"We once again presented all the facts to the U.S. administration, including potential negative effects and the steps being taken to align NIS with conditions related to the ownership structure of Gazprom Neft," the minister emphasized.

According to her, given the importance of NIS to Serbia’s economy and the company's inability to maintain current operations under sanctions, such measures would seriously threaten the functioning of the economy, as well as Serbia’s and the region’s energy security and stability.

She also noted that extending the license for the requested 180-day period would support the procurement of crude oil for the Pancevo refinery on commercially sustainable terms and contribute to Serbia’s and the region’s energy stability.

"The Serbian government remains committed to finding a lasting and sustainable solution for NIS, in cooperation with American and Russian partners, which would ensure continuous and secure supply of crude oil and uninterrupted operation of the Pancevo refinery, as the most important facility for supplying energy to the citizens and the economy of Serbia," the minister added.

Djedovic Handanovic thanked the Hungarian government for its continued support in seeking a long-term solution for NIS.

As a reminder, Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) submitted a new request to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the issuance of a special license to delay the full implementation of sanctions and allow the company to continue operations beyond July 29, when the current license, issued on June 26, is set to expire.

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