Serbia has promised to take every necessary measure to protect its energy supply and ensure the stability of its national oil company, NIS, the country’s largest oil and gas firm.

Foreign Minister Marko Djuric told reporters that the government will handle the situation in line with Serbian laws and national interests. He added that Serbia has the support of its European partners in securing its energy future.

The issue comes as the United States has pressured NIS, which is majority-owned by Russia’s Gazprom, to remove Russian participation. Washington gave the company a three-month deadline to comply, after previously delaying sanctions several times due to geopolitical tensions linked to the war in Ukraine.

Djuric said the current situation highlights the need for Serbia to diversify its energy sources and strengthen cooperation with European partners to ensure stable supplies.

He also addressed ongoing protests in Serbia, mainly led by students, which began after a fatal accident at the Novi Sad railway station last year. The demonstrations have since expanded into calls for early elections. Djuric emphasized that the government is trying to engage protesters and reduce social tensions while protecting public order.

The foreign ministers of Serbia and Germany, Djuric and Johann Wadephul, also discussed strengthening ties between the two countries. Economic cooperation between Serbia and Germany now exceeds €12 billion, and nearly 100,000 people in Serbia are directly employed by German companies. Wadephul stressed that Serbia is part of the “European family” and should have the opportunity to join the EU’s community of values.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Wadephul earlier in the week, highlighting Germany’s role as one of Serbia’s most important economic and political partners, especially in energy, infrastructure, and European integration projects.