Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held a meeting with representatives of the Serbian Security and Information Agency (BIA), during which he discussed a plan of action against the US decision to impose sanctions on the Serbian company NIS (Oil Industry of Serbia) due to Russian ownership of the enterprise.
The authorities of the Balkan republic intend to start negotiations with the US and Russia for a quick resolution of the problem today.
„We have reviewed the officially received information that sanctions will be imposed on NIS by the US and some other countries. We discussed how to act in this situation, how to react and how to ensure the safety of Serbian citizens. It is extremely important for us that the people of Serbia, despite the serious challenges we face, do not experience this in their standard of living, in their work and in their daily lives. Based on this, we will act and on December 16 we will start negotiations with the Americans, the Russians and everyone else," Vučić said in a video address on the social network Instagram.
“We also discussed the hybrid threats that our country faces. In this regard, I want to emphasize that Serbia needs unity more than ever. It is important for us to move forward to ensure that next year our country will show the highest rate of economic growth. We must do everything possible to focus on success and the future,“ the president noted.
The head of state indicated that Serbia expects a record level of foreign investment by the end of 2024. - about €4.7 billion, "which once again confirms how attractive Serbia is for investment and business and that the country is moving forward confidently".
"Serbia will not stop. That is why it is important to unite under the most beautiful tricolor flag in the world – red, blue and white", Vučić concluded.
The US decision to impose sanctions against NIS, which are expected from January 1, 2025, will not affect Belgrade's refusal to join the anti-Russian restrictions, Vučić said. He indicated that the country will try to "maintain friendly relations with the Russians and not spoil relations with those who impose sanctions".
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin earlier indicated that Western countries are actively opening enterprises in Serbia and producing their products in comfortable economic conditions due to the presence of a stable channel for the supply of Russian gas to the republic.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Serbian government, commenting on the expected American restrictive measures, indicated that this step, planned by Washington, should force the Serbs to abandon their independent policy and accept restrictions in relation to Moscow. According to Vulin, in this way the West is trying to present Russia in the eyes of Serbia as an enemy, not a friend.