Serbian oil company NIS has officially requested a delay in the enforcement of US sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), with support from the Serbian and Hungarian governments. The request aims to secure either a general or special license that would allow NIS to continue operations while efforts are made to address its ownership structure and management. This move is intended to ensure that NIS, a key player in regional energy stability, remains operational.
The Serbian Government has expressed strong support for the request, emphasizing that the sanctions would disrupt NIS’ ability to supply oil and petroleum products to the Serbian population. Given the company’s significance to both the Serbian and regional economies, the government is urging OFAC to grant a minimum 90-day suspension of sanctions. This temporary relief would provide the necessary time to work toward a sustainable solution and potentially remove the sanctions in the future.