Serbia-MOL talks progress on NIS refinery deal

Serbian energy minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović said negotiations between the Russian majority owner of Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) and Hungary's MOL are proceeding well and are expected to conclude by mid‑May, pending U.S. approval of the contract. A key condition is MOL’s commitment to maintain a specified annual refinery processing volume at the Pančevo plant, along with agreements on commercial terms, the construction of a new Serbia‑Hungary oil pipeline, and the supply of refined products to the Serbian market. The government aims to increase the Serbian ownership percentage in NIS, which it describes as critical national energy infrastructure.

Parallel talks are also taking place between Serbian officials and Hungarian representatives, reflecting broader regional interests in the outcome of the NIS‑MOL negotiations.