Djedovic Handanovic: Further discussions with Gazprom Neft due Thursday

ST PETERSBURG, - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Thursday in St Petersburg, where she is attending the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, that she would have further discussions with Gazprom Neft representatives later in the day and that a request submitted by MOL for more time for talks about its acquisition of a Russian-majority stake in the Serbian oil company NIS meant the Hungarian oil firm believed in a positive outcome of the negotiations with the Russian side.

In a statement to the RTS, Djedovic Handanovic said Gazprom Neft had confirmed on Wednesday that the talks continued and that some outstanding issues remained.

She added that, on the other hand, Serbia was in talks with MOL.

"I am convinced we will find compromise on an agreement among shareholders.

Above all, we will be doing everything to safeguard our position and the interests of our country when it comes to future NIS operations. I am also convinced the talks are going in a good direction and that we will find compromise. It remains to be seen whether, how and when the talks between MOL and Gazprom Neft will be concluded," the minister said.

She thanked the US administration for showing understanding, on multiple occasions, for Serbia's position regarding NIS.

Djedovic Handanovic added that, in all discussions with the US administration, Serbian officials - including President Aleksandar Vucic and government officials - noted that NIS was a strategic company for Serbia that was very important for citizens and businesses and that continued NIS operations must not come under threat.

She said she would hold further discussions with the Gazprom Neft top executive and Russian Energy Ministry and government officials later in the day, and added that Alexander Dyukov, chairman of the Gazprom Neft managing board, had told her at a meeting on Wednesday the Russian side wanted to help to find a long-term solution for NIS.

On Wednesday, MOL requested 30 more days from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to complete the talks on an acquisition of the Russian stake in NIS.

Since October 9, 2025, NIS has been under US sanctions due to its Russian-majority ownership.

On May 22, MOL Group announced that it had obtained from the OFAC an extended licence until June 6 to complete the negotiations.