Djedovic Handanovic: NIS has received OFAC operating licence until January 23

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic announced on Wednesday the Serbian oil company NIS had received a licence from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that would enable it to continue operations until January 23.

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

"Dear citizens, excellent news for our country at the end of the year - I am pleased to inform you that NIS has received a licence from the US's OFAC to continue operations until January 23," Djedovic Handanovic posted on Instagram.

That also means that the Pancevo refinery will be able to resume operations after 36 days, she noted.

"With (President Aleksandar) Vucic at the helm, through a diplomatic battle, we have succeeded in what was almost impossible. We will protect our energy security as we have until now," the minister added.