Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polančec stated that the Government has not abandoned the transfer of 25 percent plus one share of the Tourist Company Sunčani Hvar to the city of Hvar.
However, the City must first meet the Government’s requirements regarding the settlement of 15 million kuna for the recapitalization of the company and withdraw from the administrative disputes concerning the assets of Sunčani Hvar. When asked why the privatization contract of Sunčani Hvar is secret despite being a public-private partnership, Polančec responded in HTV’s show “Nedjeljom u dva” that the Orco group believes there is no need to publish something in Croatia that is not published in other countries. “Publishing something like this requires the goodwill of both partners,” said Polančec.
Commenting on the recent arrest and investigation of journalist Željko Peratović, Polančec stated that the police and the State Attorney’s Office should not have acted in such a manner as it concerns a journalist whose right to express an opinion should be respected. “I am against prosecuting in such a way and arresting media representatives. Personally, I believe they should not have done it that way,” commented the Deputy Prime Minister.
Reflecting on the Maestro operation, in which some leaders of the Croatian Privatization Fund were arrested for corruption, Polančec rejected the possibility of political responsibility for ministers in the Government. He stated that at the time of their appointment, no one had information that the arrested leaders of the fund could have committed a criminal act. Polančec mentioned that the Government’s commission is working on finding a new model for managing the state portfolio and the best model for continuing privatization, and will discuss three proposed models this week. (H)
