Linić: MOL seriously threatens due to the detrimental contract of the former HDZ government

Finance Minister Slavko Linić stated today that the Government is seriously addressing the issue of the gas business contract concluded with MOL, assessing that due to the fact that the former HDZ government signed this detrimental contract for the state, “MOL is now seriously threatening”.

According to Jutarnji list, MOL recently sent a letter to the Government and the Ministry of Economy warning that it is ready to seek compensation of two billion kuna because the state did not take over INA’s gas business, which it committed to do in 2009.

When asked whether this is a serious threat from MOL or a matter of “positioning” before the start of negotiations with the Government regarding amendments to the shareholders’ agreement on INA, which begins on September 18, Linić said that it is a “serious threat” considering the contracts that were, “unfortunately, signed by the HDZ government”.

At the time the contract was signed, no one was aware of what was being signed, and when you sign a contract, it is a very dangerous threat, Linić said after today’s Government session.

“As you can see, there is a new threat to the state budget of two billion (kuna) from the same people who today ask why we have such deficits and why the situation is difficult,” he asserted.

Irresponsible management of the state, carelessly signing documents that are not good for Croatia is something that poses a great threat, says the finance minister. “Therefore, MOL is seriously threatening, these are matters we are seriously dealing with,” he concluded.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds Branko Grčić also believes that this is a serious issue because, given the signed contract, Croatia has obligations.

“We would not enter into negotiations with MOL if such serious matters were not at stake,” Grčić told reporters.

When asked if this means that MOL is in a better position than the Government, he replied that he would not “assess it that way”. “We have created a platform for negotiations, there are many topics and discussions will take place,” Grčić said.