After 84 days of American sanctions The oil industry of Serbia, the Washington administration extended the operational license for the work of NIS until January 23, writes RTS.
That decision SAD followed today's talks between the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić with OFAC and the State Department, as well as with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
RTS unofficially learns that the negotiations could be completed by then "Gazprom" with the Hungarian MOL on the purchase of the Russian majority stake in NIS.
On January 1, Vučić will announce more detailed information about the letter coming from Washington and the importance of the operating license for NIS and Serbia.
And the Minister of Energy, Dubravka Đedović Handanović, announced on social networks that the USA extended the license for the operation of NIS.
"Dear citizens, great news for the end of the year for our country - I am pleased to inform you that the Oil Industry of Serbia has received a license from the American OFAC to continue operations until January 23," she stated.
Đedović pointed out that this also means that the Pancevo Refinery will be able to continue operating after 36 days.
JANAF is ready to supply the Refinery in Pancevo
After OFAC approved the license to NIS until January 23, 2026, JANAF announced that they are fully ready to immediately ensure smooth transportation and supply of crude oil to the Refinery in Pančevo.
"JANAF, in cooperation with the Government of Croatia, obtained a license which authorizes until January 23, 2026, participation in activities that are usual and necessary for oil transport for the execution of the Crude Oil Transport Contract concluded with the company NIS ad", according to JANAF's announcement.
JANAF stated that they also hope for the near completion of negotiations between NIS and potential partners on the purchase of the Russian stake in that company, which would fulfill the conditions prescribed by the sanctions regime.
The Government of Croatia announced on the X network that this decision will enable further supply exclusively of oil that is not of Russian origin. Also, the Government of Croatia stated that this decision "clearly shows that the American administration recognizes Croatia as an important partner."
"Today, the US OFAC issued a license to JANAF to continue transporting oil to the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS) until January 23, 2026. This will enable further supply exclusively of oil of non-Russian origin. This decision clearly shows that the US administration recognizes Croatia as an important partner, which with its energy infrastructure contributes to reducing European dependence on Russian energy," stated the Government of Croatia.
Last week, on December 24, the Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAK) issued a new license to the Serbian Oil Industry, allowing negotiations on the sale of the Russian share with an extended deadline until March 24.
It has been confirmed that Russian they are negotiating the sale of their share with the Hungarian MOL.
Since the introduction of sanctions on NIS, there has been no import of crude oil through the Adriatic pipeline, the Pancevac refinery on December 2 is not working, and Serbia relies on state reserves and the import of derivatives.
