Vučić: Serbia close to final solution on NIS

Serbia is close to reaching a final solution on the Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) issue, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said in an interview with RTS, Report's Balkan bureau informs.

Vučić said that for the first time, he is optimistic that the negotiations involving Russia, Hungary, and Serbia over the NIS company will end successfully, with the parties nearing a final agreement:

"I think, for the first time, I can share good news – I am optimistic about the outcome of the trilateral talks between Russians, Hungarians, and Serbs, and I believe we will be able to conclude this process. I think even the Americans, who are closely following all this, already see that the matter is approaching its end. I believe we are very close to a final solution."

According to him, the agreement will further strengthen Serbia's fiscal stability, credit rating, and overall economic position: "I believe we can finalize this matter within the next month."

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) previously extended the operating license of NIS until July 31. At the same time, the permit granted to Hungary's MOL company, which is negotiating the purchase of Russia's stake in NIS, was also extended until the end of July.