Serbia looks for new ways to supply oil and gas due to threat of US sanctions
Government considers new ways to supply oil and gas due to possible sanctions (photo: Getty Images)
The United States may impose sanctions against the Oil and Gas Industry of Serbia (NIS) because of the Russian stake in it. Serbia is planning to establish a Coordination Body to ensure oil and gas supplies to solve this problem, informs Radio Slobodna Evropa.
According to the media outlet, the coordinating body will be headed by Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, who will coordinate the activities of working groups to monitor the situation with sanctions and natural gas supplies to Serbia from Russia.
Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that he expected to receive an official document from the United States on the imposition of sanctions on NIS due to Russian ownership on January 10 or 13.
Vučić also confirmed that US Deputy Secretary of State Jose Fernandez had announced his intention to impose direct sanctions on NIS.
The publication noted that Gazprom Neft and Gazprom have owned the majority of NIS shares since 2008, which increases the risk of sanctions.
Last month, Vučević said that the United States was preparing sanctions against Serbia's oil and gas company because of the Russian share.
Shortly before the president's statement, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin said that the country wanted to continue buying Russian gas.
According to him, Belgrade is negotiating with Moscow to extend the natural gas supply contract that expires in March.
