On the occasion of the announced introduction of sanctions to NIS, Professor Velimir Lukić, guest in RTS’s Jutarnji dnevnik, he pointed out that sanctions are the most effective and deadly economic weapon, which leads to the collapse of the company. He says yes every country has the right to independently make a decision on changing the ownership structure of any company, especially in sectors that are treated as important for national security
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, said that the USA will impose comprehensive sanctions on the NIS company, which will put us in a difficult situation.
„We have to look for a solution. We cannot know, but we can guess what is disputed in the ownership structure of NIS. Russian investors, with about 50 percent ownership, have a controlling stake. We don’t know if the controlling shares or the Russian investors are the problem, but we can negotiate”added Lukić, a professor at the Faculty of Economics.
According to him, the state can try to find a solution in the ownership structure and has the right to independently make a decision to change the ownership structure of the company, especially in sectors that are of national security.
Higher oil prices for consumers
Lukić also noted that Slovakia and Hungary managed to exempt themselves from the general embargo on oil imports from Russia, but that those two countries are in a different situation than Serbia because they are members of the EU.
„The influence of our country on the geopolitical currents and strategies available to us is such that we cannot get exemptions. We will have to propose innovative solutions that can cover this situation. We have not been importing Russian oil for two years, and we have not had a relationship with Russian companies in this matter”emphasizes Lukić.
Nationalization of NIS
Lukić points out that sanctions always pass on to end users, that is, to those who use oil and derivatives for personal or industrial consumption – everyone will pay a higher price.
„How consumers will react to higher prices will depend on how much the price will rise. We will have to secure enough oil in our market and rely on other players”concludes Lukić.
He believes that one of the options is for the NIS refinery to pass into Serbian hands and be nationalized, which would soften the first blow of the sanctions.
„We are on the same line with the Croatian ‘Janaf’, that is, with the desire to keep the oil pipeline active and for the oil to continue flowing. Will it be possible? It is only possible if the final destination for the oil that passes through is acceptable to the Western partners. ‘Janaf’ can remain active, but will have to look for new solutions”concludes the professor.
Source: RTS
Source: energetskiportal.rs
