Djedovic Handanovic: Russian side in talks with MOL about NIS, has contacted OFAC

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Thursday Russian shareholders in the Serbian oil company NIS were in talks with Hungary's MOL about exiting ownership of NIS and that they had contacted the US Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) to ensure the company obtained an operating licence that would enable it to continue operations.

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

"The Hungarian government has supported those discussions and we, as the Government of Serbia, will also provide support so that a solution for lifting the sanctions is found and the conditions are created for an operating licence to be issued," the minister said.