Djedovic Handanovic: Russian owners have agreed to sell their stake in NIS

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic announced on Wednesday the Russian owners of Serbia's oil firm NIS had agreed to sell their 56.15 pct stake in the company, which is under US sanctions.

Djedovic Handanovic said the name of a third party remained undisclosed because "business talks between serious companies" were underway.

"Our demand is clear - the refinery must continue to operate and new crude oil supplies must be ensured as soon as possible," she said.

She added that, through its attorneys in the US, NIS had requested an extension of its operating licence from the US government.

"We are now waiting for a decision by the US government on whether their (the company's) proposal - which we are involved in - is alright," Djedovic Handanovic said.