Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar has indicated that the Adriatic Oil Pipeline (Janaf) may consider acquiring the Russian share in the Oil Company of Serbia (NIS), which faces potential US sanctions due to its Russian ownership.

“NIS will have to divest from the Russian ownership, and I can highlight that Janaf has the capacity and could be interested in that share, provided there is mutual understanding and collaboration from both parties,” Šušnjar stated in an interview with Zagreb’s Jutarnji list.

He remarked that “there is no more natural business symbiosis.”

The minister, a member of the right-wing Homeland Movement (DP)—a junior coalition partner in Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) government—mentioned that facilitating oil supply to Serbia’s refinery in the most efficient and cost-effective manner is in Serbia’s interest.

“Currently, there is no alternative to Janaf. The companies are complementary, depend on each other, and will undoubtedly collaborate going forward,” the minister, who was appointed President of the Janaf Assembly in January, emphasized.

He further stated that due to their mutual dependency, Janaf would operate “on a partnership basis with other co-owners and would not seek dominance or superiority, as is the case with some other companies mentioned on air.”

As of now, there has been no response to the Minister of Economy’s proposal.

Several Croatian media reports indicate uncertainty regarding any actual discussions between Janaf and NIS on this matter, noting that NIS is Janaf’s primary client.

The Homeland Movement serves as a minority partner in the HDZ government, and a key condition for their support was the removal of the Independent Democratic Serbian Party from power.

Their election campaign was characterized by slogans targeting the SDSS and Milorad Pupovac, as well as the Serbian national minority, and they continue to highlight their main achievement as ensuring the SDSS is not part of the Croatian government.

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