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BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbian oil firm NIS, which is majority-owned by Russia’s Gazprom Neft and Gazprom, has submitted a proper request to the U.S. Treasury Division for a waiver of sanctions for 90 days, Serbia’s power ministry mentioned on Tuesday.
In an announcement, the ministry mentioned that the NIS request has the backing of the Serbian and Hungarian governments.
“We urgently request that OFAC (Workplace of Overseas Belongings Management) take into account quick help, within the type of a suspension of sanctions for at least 90 days, whereas a sustainable answer that will result in the lifting of sanctions is taken into account,” the assertion mentioned.
It additionally mentioned that NIS’s request issues acquiring licenses that will permit it to proceed working whereas an answer to the possession construction and administration is sought.
“The (Serbian) authorities … helps the request … as a result of sanctions would impair the corporate’s capacity to produce Serbian residents with oil and oil derivatives,” the ministry mentioned.
Gazprom Neft and Gazprom have 50% and 6.15% stakes respectively within the firm which operates the only oil refinery in Serbia.
The Serbian authorities holds an additional 29.87% with small shareholders accounting for the rest.
On Jan. 10, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic mentioned Russian corporations got 45 days to 45 days to exit their possession in NIS and that any deal must be permitted by OFAC.
On Jan. 14, Russian Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned that Moscow was involved with Belgrade about NIS.
Serbia receives most of its crude oil by Croatia’s pipeline operator Janaf, by which Hungary additionally imports a few of its oil.
NIS, one of many largest contributors to Serbia’s state funds, had signed a contract with Janaf for the transport of 10 million tons of oil by Croatia from Jan. 1, 2024 till Dec. 31, 2026.
(Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Writing by Angeliki Koutantou; Modifying by Susan Fenton)
