Djedovic Handanovic, US envoy discuss NIS issue

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic spoke with the special envoy for energy integration at the US Department of Energy, Joshua Volz, on Thursday to discuss the issue of the Serbian oil company NIS, which is under US sanctions due to its Russian majority ownership.

In an Instagram post, Djedovic Handanovic wrote that they had also discussed opportunities for further strengthening of cooperation in energy security, diversification of supply sources, new investments and development of the energy sector.

"We also discussed advancement of Serbia-US cooperation in the energy sector following the launch of strategic dialogue between Serbia and the US," the minister posted.

NIS has been under the US sanctions since October 9.

Recently, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) extended an operating licence for NIS until July 31.

A licence for MOL-Gazprom neft talks about an acquisition of a Russian majority stake in NIS by MOL was also extended until the same date.