Vucic: I have a little bit of optimism about NIS issue

BOGATIC - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday he was optimistic about a solution for the Serbian oil company NIS, which is under US sanctions due to its Russian-majority ownership.

Recently, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) extended an operating licence for NIS until July 31.

A licence for MOL-Gazprom neft talks about an acquisition of a Russian majority stake in NIS by MOL was also extended until the same date.

"There is a little bit of optimism in me about NIS," Vucic said at a rally in Banovo Polje, near Bogatic, western Serbia.

He said this in response to a reporter's remark that, in contrast to his past pessimism on the matter, he seemed optimistic now.

In an appearance on Prva TV earlier in the day, Vucic said he hoped a deal in the talks could be reached by late September.