"NIS privatization probe should not be politicized"

"NIS privatization probe should not be politicized"

LAZAREVAC -- Aleksandar Antić says the investigation into the privatization of NIS "should not be politicized" or brought into "any context involving partners from Russia."

"The state is doing its job, and so is the Ministry of Interior. It is a legitimate right of the state to analyze all the elements that are related, primarily, to the part that preceded the privatization," the minister of mining and energy told reporters as he was touring the flooded Tamnava West Field coal strip mine near Lazarevac.

Antić added that his personal view was that "all privatizations that were the subject of the report of the EU or any doubts of the Serbian public" should be reexamined.

"Everything needs to be clarified," said Antić and added that the work for the Ministry of Interior was "in the interest of Serbia and Russian partners."

"These are things that should not be politicized. It's not part of the political life, but of the rule of law. There should be a resolution to all things about which there were any doubts," he said.

On Wednesday , former President of Serbia Boris Tadić said that the investigation into the privatization of NIS may jeopardize relations with Russia, while current Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić said he not believe that would happen.