Vucic: NIS probe will not put ties with Russia in danger

BELGRADE - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that he does not believe that the probe into the privatisation of the oil company Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) will put Serbia's ties with Russia in danger, and added that the investigation will reveal what happened in the sale of the majority stake in the national oil company to Russia's Gazprom Neft.

"I am not saying that there is responsibility in terms of criminal law," Vucic said.

The prime minister also said that he does not believe that the Serbian leadership obtained money in the deal, but added that it is not his job to speak about that.

NIS was privatised in 2008, when Gazprom Neft bought 51 percent of the formerly state-owned company, while Serbia retained 49 percent of the shares, with 20 percent subsequently distributed for free to the Serbian citizens.

A special investigation task force has been set up at the Serbian Ministry of Interior to look into the facts and circumstances related to the privatisation of NIS.

"The relevant authorities will show all that they need to show," Vucic said, reiterating that the investigation will not disrupt the relations with Russia.

The government is pursuing the domestic and foreign policies in line with the Serbian constitution, governing the country in the interest of the people, Vucic said, noting that Serbia is the only European country that has not imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation.

"It seems to me that this says something about our respect," Vucic noted, adding that he has also discussed the matter with the Russian leadership.

"We have discussed some things, and the discussions about this will continue," Vucic said, adding that "someone has made...