Dušan Bajatović, the General Director of Srbijagas, emphasized the importance of the recent high-level energy meeting between Russia and Serbia in Moscow, highlighting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed clear support for Serbia and assured that Russia would work to prevent any negative impact from US sanctions on the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS).
Bajatović commented on the significance of the official meeting between Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić and Lavrov, stating that it marked a crucial step in solidifying diplomatic ties between the two countries. He expressed confidence that Lavrov would be the key negotiator on Russia’s side in any future agreements regarding NIS.
While Bajatović acknowledged that unofficial contacts had been ongoing, he stressed the importance of the formal diplomatic interaction. “The most important thing is that we finally had a meeting between two high-level diplomats,” Bajatović told TV Pink.
He also expressed optimism that the American Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) would approve the postponement of sanctions on NIS, providing Serbia with an opportunity to negotiate a new agreement with Russia during this extended period. Bajatović cautioned, however, that the sanctions would not be reduced, and that the demand for Russians to relinquish ownership of NIS would remain.
“The Russians and Americans must understand that Serbia needs oil refiners and derivative producers within its borders to maintain social stability and preserve its sovereignty. Losing control over critical energy sources, particularly oil, would result in a loss of national sovereignty,” Bajatović stated.
Furthermore, Bajatović commented on the political situation in Serbia, expressing concerns that attempts to destabilize the country through social unrest could pose a threat to the economy. He linked these potential destabilization efforts to ongoing political opposition, suggesting that those behind these movements were seeking to divide the nation.
“If social unrest takes place in Serbia, it will lead to a deeply divided society in the long term. Those who claim to oppose the government are, in reality, working to undermine Serbia,” Bajatović said.
Lavrov, following his meeting with Minister Đurić, confirmed that Russia and Serbia had agreed to continue collaborating to mitigate the impact of US sanctions on NIS. He also condemned foreign interference, particularly from Western nations, in Serbia’s internal political matters. Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s support for Serbia’s leadership and President Aleksandar Vučić in efforts to prevent the destabilization of the country.
