Bajatovic: Both Russians and Americans must know that NIS must keep operating

BELGRADE - Srbijagas CEO Dusan Bajatovic said in the parliament on Thursday Serbia's oil company NIS must keep operating and that "both the Russians and the Americans must know that."

NIS is under US sanctions due to its Russian-majority ownership.

"We have sufficient reserves, do not frighten the people, there is no need for that, but we will see what the OFAC's (US Office of Foreign Asset Control) opinion is. It will probably arrive tomorrow," Bajatovic told MPs, adding that, according to his sources, an OFAC decision on a new operating licence for NIS "will probably not be a negative one."

He noted that he was not authorised to speak about plans but that the Serbian authorities would adopt appropriate legislative and other measures.

Bajatovic also said he would back a "1.6 bln euro amendment" concerning NIS.

He said Serbia was prepared in terms of reserves and that a plan existed at the top state level.

"There will be no fuel canisters, or any shortages of gas whatsoever because we can buy it from various sides," Bajatovic also said.