Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović stated today that talks are under way between the Russian owners of oil company Naftna industrija Srbije (NIS), MOL and several other potential buyers, expressing the expectation that a binding agreement on the purchase of NIS shares will be signed by the end of the week.
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Goal to finalise NIS negotiations by end of week
Belgrade,
15 January 2026
Following a meeting with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, Đedović Handanović announced that, once the owners reach agreement with MOL and other potential buyers on all key aspects of the transaction, a request will also be submitted to the US administration for an extension of the licence.
According to her, one of the main topics of today’s meeting was the conclusion of an intergovernmental agreement between Serbia and Hungary, adding that work on this agreement will begin very soon.
The Minister said that efforts are being made to increase Serbia’s stake in NIS by acquiring around 5% more, stressing that confirmation was also received today that there is no intention to close the Pančevo refinery, which has excellent operations and the potential to perform even better.
Đedović Handanović noted that Serbia has managed to preserve security of crude oil supply over the past almost 100 days, during which there was no inflow of crude oil into Serbia via the Jadranski Naftovod (JANAF) oil pipeline.
This was achieved thanks to the state’s good preparedness, as well as cooperation with companies, including MOL, which increased supplies to the domestic market, she underlined, expressing the expectation that, with oil deliveries to NIS via JANAF resuming yesterday, the Pančevo refinery will resume operations by the end of the week.
Szijjártó confirmed that the first significant step towards reaching an agreement can be expected in the coming days.
The Hungarian government strongly supports MOL’s intention to purchase shares in NIS, as such a move would significantly enhance the security of supply in Central Europe, he said.
Szijjártó particularly emphasised that MOL considers the Pančevo refinery to be a facility of strategic importance and dismissed claims that the company intends to close it, describing such allegations as fake news deliberately spread to cause confusion.
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Author: Dario Konstantinović -
Author: Dario Konstantinović -
Author: Dario Konstantinović -
Author: Dario Konstantinović -
Author: Dario Konstantinović
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