Djedovic Handanovic: There are indications NIS will get new licence from OFAC

OHRID - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Friday there were indications the Serbian oil company NIS would receive a new operating licence from the US authorities and that this was expected to be formalised by an official letter from the US administration.

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

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.

Djedovic Handanovic noted that getting a new licence was crucial for planning purchases and shipments of crude oil to NIS, as well as for a Pancevo oil refinery, whose operations she said were necessary for market stability in Serbia.

"We are impatiently awaiting the news from the US, Washington. According to some indications, NIS will obtain a licence to continue to operate. However, we are expecting the arrival of a letter that would really make that formal. We do not know for how long, which is important in this situation - above all, in order that NIS can plan new crude purchases and shipments - so, the longer the period, the easier it is to secure purchases and transport," she said in Ohrid, where she is a member of a Serbian delegation accompanying PM Djuro Macut on a working visit to North Macedonia.