Mali: We are talking to both sides, solution for NIS should be to benefit of citizens

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Tuesday talks were underway with both the Russian and the US side to find a solution for Serbia's Russian-majority owned oil company NIS that would be to the benefit of Serbian citizens.

Mali said the issue of US sanctions on NIS was not an easy subject and that Serbia had not done anything to cause the present situation.

"We are working on all sides, we are talking to everyone to find a solution that would primarily benefit Serbian citizens. What we must by no means allow to happen is losing our energy independence and running out of fuels. What I can promise to Serbian citizens is that we will fight to solve this problem and find a solution that is acceptable to all," Mali told the RTS.

He noted that discussions about NIS had been going on for months and that President Aleksandar Vucic had discussed the issue with US State Secretary Marco Rubio in New York last week.

"President Vucic also met with the Russian ambassador here, we are doing everything to find a solution that would be acceptable to all sides and beneficial to us," Mali said.

On September 28, NIS sent a new request to the US Department of the Treasury for a special license delaying full implementation of US sanctions and enabling the firm to operate without obstructions.

NIS has also requested to be removed from the Specially Designated Nationals list.

Full implementation of the US sanctions on NIS has been delayed until October 8-9.