Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Sunday that a meeting held at the presidency earlier in the day produced “important conclusions” aimed at protecting Serbia’s interests and ensuring stable energy supplies, but he did not disclose what decisions were made.
“We reviewed all current challenges and reached important conclusions to protect Serbia’s interests and ensure secure and reliable supply for our citizens and the economy,” Vučić wrote on Instagram after meeting teams responsible for the country’s energy stability and security.
He added that Serbia would continue to act “responsibly and seriously” amid complex conditions across Europe, and would implement measures designed to safeguard its energy security and long-term national interests.
Energy Minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović said earlier on Sunday that citizens had not felt the impact of U.S. sanctions on state-owned Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS), and “will not feel them”.
She said the removal of Russian ownership from NIS had been offered and that talks were under way, adding that this had been confirmed to the U.S. administration. Washington is now expected to say within 48 hours whether NIS can continue operating unhindered while negotiations proceed, she said.
“If that does not happen, we have developed scenarios to secure the market with oil derivatives so that citizens do not feel any consequences,” Đedović Handanović told reporters after the energy team’s meeting with Vučić, according to the FoNet news agency.
She said Serbia had sufficient stocks of diesel, gasoline, kerosene and fuel oil and that “there is no room for panic”.
Đedović Handanović said the Serbian government would hold a session on Monday to discuss the situation around NIS.