Minister of Energy Dubrakva Đedović Handanović she said, after the meeting of the teams in charge of the country's energy stability and security with President Vučić at Andrićev Venac, that the state will do everything to ensure market supply petroleum products.
Đedović Handanović stated that the situation related to the American sanctions on NIS is increasingly complex, and that the financial sector is experiencing problems, as well as that a large number of legal entities have already switched to a new oil derivatives supplier or are looking for alternatives.
"However, citizens should have no doubts that the state will do everything to preserve supply stability and energy stability," said the minister, emphasizing that the sanctions against NIS have been in effect for 60 days, and there have been no market disturbances or increased consumption.
She particularly pointed out that 51 settlements in Serbia have no alternative to NIS fuel supply pumps.
"When we were thinking, we also thought of farmers, the price of NIS pumps was subsidized precisely to help farmers, we were thinking of small businesses, small companies, bakeries, all those who need fuel," said Đedović Handanović, emphasizing that the state will look at how to solve the problem for places that do not have an alternative to NIS gas stations.
The minister listed the places in Serbia that have no alternative except NIS gas stations: Žitkovac, Pivnice, Silbaš, Bačko Petrovo Selo, Mrčajevci, Preljina, Sokolići, Čoka, Crna Trava, Mokrin, Rusko Selo, Kostolac, Ušće kod Kraljevo, Crvenka, Sivac, Šopići, Stepojevac, Predejane, Vučje, Mali Zvornik, Medveđa, Futog, Kisač, Kolovrat, Platičevo, Prnjavor, Adaševci, Erdevik, Kravićevo, Stanišić, Stapar, Krnješevci, Stari Banovci, Svrljig, Šajkaš, Stopanja, Sevojno, Lozovik, Zmajevo, Podunavci, Uljma, Čurug, Đurđevo, Žagubica, Krepoljin, Žitorađa, Tomaševac.
According to her, the state will continue to increase its state reserves, and 49.000 tons of diesel and 38.000 tons of gasoline are on the way.
"We did everything the Russian partners asked for"
"We will look at all possible ways to increase reserves. We have enough fuel oil for the entire heating season," the minister emphasized and reminded that the state is in constant communication with all market participants who, as she said, have already significantly increased imports and are ready to release a part of the mandatory commodity reserves to increase supply.
Đedović Handanović reiterated that the state of Serbia has done everything that its Russian partners asked of it.
"We agreed that they should talk to whoever they want to sell their share to. We approved that. We did everything they asked of us," she said, stressing that we should not forget that it was the Americans who introduced the sanctions.
"And that we, as a small country that only wants to conduct its neutral policy, are affected, and what is obvious is that it is in everyone's interest to protect their interests, and that we should pay the highest price," the minister said.
She also said that the country is ready to make difficult decisions to protect its energy security.
"Our citizens should not suffer because of disagreements, disagreements between the great powers," said Đedović Handanović.
Vučić: All necessary steps have been taken in order to maintain the operation of the most important gas and oil derivatives supply systems
On his Instagram profile "buducnostsrbijeav", he announced that he had received a detailed report on the state of reserves, as well as that several different scenarios were considered to protect the interests of the country, citizens and the economy.
"I reiterated that the current challenges require the full attention of all institutions and responsible individuals, from whom I expect maximum efforts in mitigating the consequences of sanctions. I emphasized the importance of quick and timely interventions by the state and a coordinated response to the current challenges," the president said.
He added that he particularly emphasized how important it is for citizens to be regularly informed and not to worry, because all the necessary steps have been taken to maintain the operation of the most important gas and oil derivatives supply systems.
"Citizens' support and responsible behavior of each of us are of crucial importance for finding a sustainable solution that will guarantee further stability in the supply of key energy sources," said Vučić.
