Mali: Government to do everything to preserve energy stability

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Friday a US decision to impose sanctions on Serbia's Russian majority-owned oil company NIS was not good news, but noted that the government would do everything to preserve energy stability in the country.

Speaking to Euronews TV, Mali said the government would not let anyone play with Serbia's energy stability.

"All the time, we have been trying to stay under the radar, as President Vucic would say. We are a small, freedom-loving and sovereign country and we want to steer away from conflicts among big powers but, unfortunately, that is not what is happening. The sanctions will enter into force on October 1, unless some miracle happens," Mali said.

He added that Serbia had tried everything and that discussions had been held with both the US and the Russian side to make proposals and seek solutions, but that the outcome was "not up to us" as Serbia was a small country that was unable to set conditions for others.

"I can guarantee to the citizens that we will do everything we can to solve the problem, like we did in 2022, when there were concerns over gas and electricity supplies. We will be committed to preserving stability and the energy system of our country," Mali said.