The president of Most, Božo Petrov, stated that he believes there was no deliberate plan to favor American interests in the case of “lex Agrokor”.
Petrov made this statement in the HTV show “Nedjeljom u 2”, emphasizing that it is normal for banks and funds investing money in the same company to be interested in other investors.
Petrov responded that he is not a Russian player as accused in public. “I am neither Russian nor American; I am a Croatian player,” he said.
He asserted that throughout 2016, he received information from suppliers and manufacturers that something bad was happening in Agrokor, that payments were delayed, and that it was not as it had been before. They were concerned about everything that could happen, Petrov said.
“All this that is not being commented on literally looks like an omertà of all officials and all institutions and the Croatian Government regarding everything that is happening in Agrokor – I am afraid,” said Petrov, recalling the privatization and transformation at the end of the nineties when significant things were happening ‘in silence’.
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He highlighted that by meeting with Agrokor’s suppliers and manufacturers, he provoked a meeting between Ivica Todorić and representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and confirmed that a representative of the Russian Sberbank was also present at the meeting with suppliers.
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He stated that the information appearing, linking Ante Ramljak with the Knighthead fund, raises certain doubts about his work.
“Everything that has happened needs to be checked,” said Petrov, adding that Most only wanted to open the story about Agrokor.
He claims that Most is concerned with protecting Croatian interests, not just changing the owner of Agrokor.
He also confirmed that a representative of Most was at a meeting in the Government where they were considering and analyzing who could be the leader for Agrokor, adding that Mr. Ramljak remained for all proposals.
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According to Petrov, Most had some of its proposals, but they were not acceptable to HDZ.
“When it was known that literally hours were deciding whether an economic collapse would occur, it was necessary to vote on systemically important companies,” he said, adding that they had to act then.
In the end, nothing came of our wishes because, he emphasizes, HDZ excluded us.
He pointed out that at this moment regarding the temporary administration of Agrokor, he does not like that reports were delayed for several months compared to the expected deadline, and that, as he assessed, there is no clear restructuring plan for the companies.
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“All this that is not being commented on literally looks like an omertà of all officials and all institutions and the Croatian Government regarding everything that is happening in Agrokor – I am afraid,” said Petrov, recalling the privatization and transformation at the end of the nineties when significant things were happening ‘in silence’.
He also noted that he does not regret supporting “lex Agrokor”. At that moment, it was the least possible evil, he added.
Petrov believes that institutions such as HANFA, HNB, HBOR, and the Tax Administration are responsible for the situation in Agrokor.
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When asked whether he would support the announced SDP initiative for the recall of Finance Minister Zdravko Marić and Deputy Prime Minister Martina Dalić due to the Agrokor case, Petrov replied that the Prime Minister Andrej Plenković is ultimately the most responsible for everything.
