BELGRADE: Hungary will deliver more oil products to Serbia, its foreign minister said on Wednesday, ahead of a shutdown of the Balkan nation's oil refinery, under US sanctions due to its majority-Russian ownership. Speaking in a visit to Belgrade, Peter Szijjarto said the Hungarian energy giant MOL had more than doubled oil exports since November with further increases possible, to help fill energy demand caused by the expected closure of the refinery. "Serbia can always count on Hungary to secure its energy needs. We will never leave you on your own," he said after meeting his Serbian counterpart.
The Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS), which operates Serbia's only oil refinery, said that without further supplies its Pancevo plant would face a complete shutdown before the end of the week. Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic earlier said that NIS had stockpiled enough fuel to last until the end of the year, with additional reserves held by the government. Serbian officials also flagged a proposed budget measure that would allow the country to take ownership of NIS if needed. — AFP
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