Djedovic Handanovic: Sanctions on NIS a retaliation against Russia

BELGRADE - Serbia's caretaker Minister of Energy and Mining Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Monday sanctions on Serbia's Russian majority-owned oil company NIS represented the previous US administration's retaliation against Russia.

In this situation, Serbia is not to blame for anything, Djedovic Handanovic told Prva TV.

She said successful postponements of the sanctions were very important but not a lasting solution.

"If anything, we have managed to secure a second postponement, but not for a long period of time," the minister explained.

The Serbian government has recently faced various challenges, she said, noting that she had always tried to work with commitment, as indicated by many projects carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Mining.

"We have succeeded in completing major projects - from Kostolac to desulphuring in Obrenovac. We have delivered on all the EU reform agendas and I believe we can make progress through a responsible and self-sacrificing approach," Djedovic Handanovic said.

She also said Serbia currently had good relations with the new US administration, as confirmed by Donald Trump Jr's visit to Serbia in March.

"The changes in America have been political. We have good relations with the new US administration, and the visit to Serbia by Donald Trump Jr also confirmed that," Djedovic Handanovic said.