The outgoing Economy Minister is worried about the future of refinery in Sisak.
Outgoing Economy Minister Tomislav Panenić said on Saturday that he was worried because Croatian oil had been transported during the night to the INA refinery in Rijeka, without the knowledge of Croatian members of the INA Supervisory Board and Board of Directors. He added that he would demand an official explanation from MOL, which owns the largest number of INA shares, reports seebiz.eu on October 8, 2016.
Minister Panenić confirmed that he found out knew about the transport of oil to the Rijeka refinery too late, when the transport had already started and therefore it was not possible to stop it. “On one earlier occasion, I reacted in a timely manner, but this time I did not receive timely information”, said Panenić, referring to his decision in July when he opposed sending crude oil to refinery in Rijeka, since it could be an indication that the refinery in Sisak could be closed down. Panenić stressed the need for an agreement between MOL and the government, which are co-owners of INA.
“Everything concerning the oil processing and the refinery, which is one of the key energy facilities in Croatia, should be agreed between MOL and the Croatian government. I express my dissatisfaction with the fact that they have launched this activity before the government is formed and before the government took position about the overall situation in INA, including the Sisak refinery”, said Panenić.
He confirmed that the oil was being unloaded in Rijeka, and that it all happened without the knowledge of Croatian members of the Board of Directors and the Supervisory Board. “We will try to find out how was it possible to make this decision without the involvement of Croatian representatives. We will demand an official explanation from MOL”, he said.
The refinery in Rijeka received during the night about 600 tons of crude oil. The New Solidary Trade Union called this move an attack on Sisak and the Sisak refinery. “Last night, Hungarians demonstrated how much they appreciate our independence, and they did it on its 25th anniversary. We believe this is a new attack on Sisak, but also on Croatian institutions. We demand an immediate investigation and punishment of those responsible. Is this a move that demonstrates good relations among shareholders in INA, MOL and Croatia”, asked the union in a statement.
The issue of the future of INA refinery in Sisak is one of the main obstacles in relations between MOL and Croatia. MOL wants to close it down and concentrate all the activities in a refinery in Rijeka, which would create an economic disaster for Sisak and surrounding areas, which are already among the worst developed parts of Croatia.
