Djuric: Serbian gov't to solve NIS issue in line with our laws, interests

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Tuesday the Serbian government would undertake all measures to ensure energy security and solve the issue of the Russian majority-owned oil company NIS - which is under US sanctions - in line with the laws and interests of Serbia, and noted that Serbia had the support of European partners when it comes to diversification of energy supplies.

Djuric was responding to questions from reporters after a meeting with German FM Johann Wadephul in Belgrade.

"The Government of Serbia will do all it takes to ensure security of supplies to both citizens and businesses. In the coming days, we will hold sessions on a daily basis to solve the issue of NIS in a manner that is based on our laws, as well as on our national interests, as no country in the world would allow itself to be deprived of energy supplies, and that will not be the case with Serbia. We will do all it takes to ensure the security of the energy market," Djuric said.

Even before the sanctions on NIS, diversification was the key word in Serbia's energy sector, Djuric said.

"The current geopolitical situation - not only the security situation but also when it comes to environmental protection needs - calls for a higher degree of diversification. We also discussed that with our European partners. To us, it is very important that we are getting messages of support from Europe and Brussels for diversification of Serbia's energy supplies," Djuric said.