The Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship Đuro Popijač stated today that negotiations between the Government, Ina, and MOL regarding the separation of the gas business from Ina are ongoing and expressed his belief that the negotiators will align their positions.
"We are discussing all aspects of cooperation with Ina and MOL, and I believe we will reach an agreement," said Popijač in a statement after the business meeting "The Position of Croatian Exports in 2011" organized by the Croatian Exporters Association. When asked if it is true that foreign investors are interested in Ina’s gas business, he replied that there are always interested investors, noting that the term investor in the gas business is broad and can refer to producers, distributors, importers, and others. When asked if one of the topics of discussion with Ina and MOL is the increase in gas prices for households, Popijač stated that the Government will eventually consider any price increase independently.
According to the First Amendment to the Main Contract on Gas Business between the Government and MOL, the Croatian state is to take over the gas business from Ina by December 1 of this year. Ina reiterated last week that the principle applies to Ina whereby the gas business can be managed if it is market-oriented, which also implies a market price for gas for households. Representatives of the Croatian Government and Hungarian MOL discussed the gas business yesterday, specifically the possibility of it being taken over by the Croatian state or remaining within Ina, which is also related to the issue of gas prices for households, and these discussions will continue next week. "Based on the contractual obligations of the parties, negotiations continue with the aim of resolving the issue by December 1, 2010," announced MOL Group yesterday. (H)
