Filipović: The security of oil and gas supply is unquestionable

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović stated on Tuesday during the current session in the Croatian Parliament that the security of oil and gas supply is unquestionable, there are oil reserves for 90 days, and the underground gas storage Okoli is full.

“We have done everything to ensure that citizens and the economy have a secure winter – the security of gas and oil derivatives supply is unquestionable, we have oil reserves for 90 days, we continuously intervene in the prices of gasoline and diesel, and the gas storage Okoli is full,” Filipović responded to a question from Grozdana Perić (HDZ).

Međimurje gas prioritizes profit over the welfare of citizens

In addition, he added, with the autumn package of measures, we have protected citizens and entrepreneurs regarding electricity.

For local suppliers who disregard the Government’s decision on gas prices for public institutions, hospitals, and kindergartens at a price of 41 euros per megawatt-hour, Filipović says that such behavior is incomprehensible to him. Of the 11 suppliers, only one is causing a problem, Međimurje gas.

– “It is incredible to me that someone can prioritize profit over the welfare of their fellow citizens, and that is currently what Međimurje gas is doing. This is a question for local leaders who are majority owners, how they allow this company to charge such bills,” said Filipović, calling for them to voluntarily terminate the contract.

Mišel Jakšić (SDP) again referred to the issue of INA and the management of that company, asking whether the time has come to protect the Croatian ownership stake.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković reiterated that the direction of INA was set 20 years ago, and today we are where we are.

– “When we said in 2016 that the smartest thing to do is to buy out MOL’s stake in INA, I still assert today that it is the smartest for Croatian energy interests,” said Plenković, reminding that MOL rejected the buyout offer.

“We will continue the process, and I believe that we will ultimately reach our goal, as it is clear to the Hungarian side that this is a ‘marriage that is not exemplary,'” he conveyed.

Bojan Glavašević (KZL) asked the Prime Minister if he is willing to support the establishment of a body that would enable parliamentary oversight of the implementation of sanctions against Russia, to which he replied that there is no need for that.

“If you want to contribute as members of parliament, I suggest that a thematic session of the Foreign Affairs Committee be convened,” Plenković stated.

He noted that he understood the extent of the entanglement of Russian capital in Croatia after visiting Ukraine ‘while Grbin was saying what we are going there to provoke, and many were running to Pantovčak for instructions.’

Investments in railways will amount to four billion euros over 10 years

Regarding investments in railway infrastructure, Plenković stated that four billion euros are planned to be invested over 10 years, and that through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, 100 million kuna will be allocated for a pilot project of battery trains, which he announced in Egypt.

In response to a question from Vesna Nađ (Social Democrats) about the liberalization of hemp utilization, he revealed that the regulation on granting approval for the production of hemp for medical purposes is in the final phase.

The Minister of Culture, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, in response to a question from Vesna Bedeković (HDZ) about the dynamics of the restoration of cultural heritage after the earthquake, stated that 280 projects worth about five billion kuna are in implementation, and 15 projects have already been fully completed.

She praised the cooperation with Zagreb, Petrinja, Karlovac, and Bjelovar, while rating the cooperation with Sisak as the worst.