Finance Minister Zdravko Marić stated on Wednesday that he is satisfied with the Government’s performance in the first year as the economy is steadily growing, while public debt is decreasing for the second consecutive year, and he also reflected on the development of the situation regarding Agrokor.
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In the field of public finances, public debt is decreasing for the second consecutive year, said Minister Marić before the Government session, who has recently been in Washington and New York, meeting with leading figures from international institutions and investors who, he says, recognized such trends.
– The economy is also in a stable growth rate for the second consecutive year, said Marić, who expressed satisfaction with the tax reform that started at the beginning of the year and that, considering the 2.5 billion kuna relief for the economy and citizens, it was a move in the right direction.
Ministers should be evaluated based on results
Journalists asked Marić about the Agrokor case and whether he trusts the Prime Minister.
– From day one, I am aware of my responsibility and my role as Minister of Finance. We went through much of this topic five or six months ago during that discussion in the Parliament about confidence in me as Minister of Finance. I believe that I defended not only myself but also the function and position of the Minister of Finance honorably and dignifiedly with arguments. I presented arguments for which I believe all those accusations were unfounded, and ultimately, that has been proven, he said.
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He also added that he believes that he and every other minister should be evaluated based on the results and measures they have taken, not just where they have spent their careers.
– I worked in Agrokor and I have explained many times what my role was, what I specifically did. But I have also said many times, and I think it is much more relevant, what I have done and worked on since I became Minister of Finance, said Marić.
In response to a journalist’s question about how many of his former colleagues have been arrested in connection with the Agrokor case, Marić said he would not like to comment much on those processes.
– I know the people very well, we worked together, I know their families as well. From the perspective of families, I can say, considering that I know from my own experience, that it is by no means simple, and I hope they will have both the mental and physical strength to overcome it all, he said.
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When asked if he thinks he is a burden to the Government, given that accusations against him regarding Agrokor are resurfacing, he replied that the realization itself is not pleasant.
– The realization itself, to think about it when someone says that I am a burden to the Government in the functioning of the state, is not pleasant in itself. However, I again emphasize that I am being imputed with some things that are really unfounded, and all the time only my past is being looked at, which is not questionable. I do not see what the problem is that I worked in the largest private company in Croatia at a part of my career. But I repeat that I should be evaluated based on the results and measures I take as a minister, he said.
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He also reflected again on the loan that HBOR approved to Agrokor last year, emphasizing that this loan, when looking at the entire capital structure of Agrokor, is one of the few, if not the only part of the debt that has secured instruments. HBOR has completed the procedure and certain things have been respected, Marić explained.
He reminded that he was criticized for abolishing the tax USKOK. For a year, he says, he has argued that such a thing was not on his mind in any scenario, but rather the opposite, and he believes that it is now showing that it was the right move.
– I clearly stated that such an organizational unit should not be kept under the minister’s cabinet; it should be independent along with its Tax Administration to which it belongs and should create conditions and prerequisites to function and should remove any political influence from it, said Marić.
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When asked if he found anything suspicious while he was in Agrokor, considering everything that is now being discovered, and also in light of the statement by the governor of HNB, Boris Vujčić, that everyone knew everything, he reiterated that his role and responsibility in Agrokor were in relations with investors, that is, with rating agencies.
– I was not responsible for any tasks related to the preparation of financial statements, let alone their auditing, he said.
In response to a journalist’s question about whether this means he does not expect a call from investigators, he said he is always ready to respond to all inquiries.
– Whatever happens, I am here both as Minister of Finance and as a citizen, open and always ready to respond to any inquiries. Of course, I have no intention of hiding anything from anyone, concluded Marić.
