Mali: We are looking for solution for NIS, energy stability will not be jeopardised

BELGRADE - Serbian First Deputy PM and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Wednesday work was underway to find a solution to the issue of Serbia's Russian-majority owned oil company NIS - now under US sanctions - and that his government would not let energy stability and security in the country be jeopardised.

Speaking to Pink TV, Mali said the situation with NIS was generating uncertainty when it comes to the International Monetary Fund's assessment of the Serbian economy, due on Thursday.

"We had a very important and by no means easy discussion with the IMF. We have delivered on all the set reform objectives and we will keep delivering. Let me remind you that we are the only country in the Western Balkan region with investment-grade credit rating and the only EU membership candidate country with that rating," Mali said.

He also said that, as of Wednesday morning, there had been 459 bln dinars in the state coffers, which he noted was a testimony to the stability of the country's finances.

"Our growth is slightly lower than planned due to the blockades. The wage and pension increases would be higher if it were not for all that," Mali said.

He noted that the blockades had harmed the country but noted that "we will succeed in caching up with everything we have missed out on in the past 11 months."

(1 euro = 117.25 dinars)