Mali: Gov't has solution to NIS sanctions issue

BELGRADE - Serbian Finance Minister Sinisa Mali said on Monday Belgrade was waiting for an official document on US sanctions on Serbia's majority Russian-owned oil company NIS to arrive and that the government's course of action would be determined afterwards.

Speaking to the RTS, Mali said quick and efficient action would be taken to avert any harm to GDP growth and the economy.

He said the issue of sanctions on NIS was a major challenge for Serbia but that, like many challenges and problems in the past, it would be overcome, and noted that people need not worry.

"Just like we have solved other problems and challenges we have faced, we will solve this one, too. There are several things there that still pose a dilemma to us, in terms of deadlines, structure, ownership, the way of management, and so on, but we will solve that problem, too," Mali said.

Commenting on President Aleksandar Vucic's statement that the government had the funds to buy the Russian stake in NIS, Mali said the national budget was capable of handling that pressure as there was 500 bln dinars in state coffers.

"Money is no problem, we will find a solution, and we will not and must not let our energy security let be jeopardised in any way," Mali said.

(1 euro = 117 dinars)