Djedovic Handanovic: US sanctions on NIS deferred

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic told Tanjug the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had last night notified the Serbian government it had granted a request for a deferral of US sanctions on Serbia's Russian majority-owned oil company NIS.

"The Americans said they understand the importance of NIS for our economy and our citizens, as well as for regional energy stability, and that NIS is also vital for the functioning of some of the most important activities in our society, such as the health care system, police and others," Djedovic Handanovic said.

She said the 30-day deferral of the sanctions did not apply to US citizens and the US financial system.

"So all people with US passports will not be able to continue to do business with NIS if they have done so in the past, and will be at risk of being included in the list of OFAC sanctions," the minister said.