More on MOL’s plans with the Croatian national oil company.
CEO of the Hungarian OTP Bank and Vice Chairman of MOL’s Board of Directors, Sandor Csanyi, said on Friday in Split that the Hungarian oil company was willing to sell its stake in the Croatian national oil company INA to the Croatian government, reports Jutarnji List on May 5,2017.
“We are ready to sell INA if the Croatian government wants to buy it. If the Croatian government does not want to or is unable to buy it, then we are ready to continue with our cooperation.” said Csanyi at an event marking the OTP Bank’s takeover of Splitska Banka. He said that it was not easy to cooperate “when the Constitutional Court has already annulled two verdicts.”
Csanyi said that Interpol had removed the CEO of MOL Zsolt Hernadi from the international wanted list and that, according to the decision of the arbitration tribunal in Geneva, there was no bribery and corruption in INA in connection with the changes to the shareholder’s contract signed in January 2009. “Despite all this, Mr. Hernadi continues to be included in a European arrest warrant on Croatia’s request.” said Csanyi, expressing hope that Croatia would withdraw its arrest warrant against Hernadi. “Of course, as in all democratic countries, the judiciary is independent of the Croatian government. I would ask the judicial authorities to speed up their processes, which will hopefully lead to the withdrawal of the arrest warrant.” said Csanyi.
He added that MOL had been working for years to resolve the issues around INA, and MOL’s main goal is to have good relations with the Croatian government, not only in the interest of MOL, but also in the interest of the Croatian economy. “The goal of MOL is to be a significant player and to contribute to the improvement of the Croatian economy.” he said.
Asked by journalists whether the acquisition of Splitska Banka by OTP Bank Croatia was in any way related to the situation in MOL-INA, Csanyi said no. “This acquisition has nothing to do with INA or MOL.” Adding that he personally supported the acquisition in the banking sector in which “a large amount” of money was invested.
“That demonstrates that we are determined to support good Croatian-Hungarian economic relations.” said Csanyi.
