Botsan-Kharchenko: Solution in spirit of friendly Russia-Serbia relations being sought for NIS

BELGRADE - Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said on Friday a solution that would, above all, be in the spirit of the friendly relations between Russia and Serbia was being sought for Serbia's oil company NIS.

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

In a statement to Tanjug, Botsan-Kharchenko noted that, when it comes to NIS, Russia did not want to give up on seeking a solution and say "We give up, you live the way you want."

"As far as NIS is concerned, a solution is being sought, and I would like to point out that it is very important that the process proceeds without explaining some details, which might not be necessary now, and might even be harmful. This is a situation where silence is the best atmosphere and creates the best conditions to continue attempts to find the best solution," Botsan-Kharchenko said.

That atmosphere is important also because the NIS issue is not simple, but complicated, he said.

When it comes to NIS, it is important to know what the cause of developments and the situation in Serbia is, because NIS is also a crucial company for Serbia, as well as its most important one in the energy sector, the ambassador said.

"The fundamental reason is the US sanctions, which are not legitimate and lawful, and there is no explanation as to what their objective is. It seems that the sanctions are aimed against Serbia, because Serbia's situation is the most difficult," Botsan-Kharchenko said, adding that some media outlets forgot that fact.

Reports on NIS ignore the fundamental reason and promptly criticise Russia because there is still no solution, alleging that Moscow could find one immediately, the ambassador said.

"It is impossible to find a solution immediately and quickly," he said.

The situation regarding NIS must be viewed in the context of all statements, above all, a very substantial statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a December 19 annual conference, he said.

"He said everything and mentioned the fundamental and crucial things and, of course, in that statement, too, there is both determination and a substantiated hope that we will find a solution that will, above all, be in the spirit and within the framework of our friendly relations," Botsan-Kharchenko said.