- Title: Croatia, Hungary to rebuild ties, remove politics from INA/MOL dispute - FMs
- Date: 22nd November 2016
- Summary: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (NOVEMBER 22, 2016) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** VIEW OF PARLIAMENT ACROSS DANUBE WITH BOATS TRAFFIC ON BRIDGES OVER DANUBE EXTERIOR OF FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING EU AND HUNGARIAN FLAGS ON FACADE CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, DAVOR IVOR STIER, ARRIVING GREETED BY HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, PETER SZIJJARTO / SHAKING HANDS AND CHATTING VARIOUS OF PLENARY TALKS STIER AND SZIJJARTO WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE SZIJJARTO TALKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Hungarian) HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, PETER SZIJJARTO, SAYING: "We would like if the relations of MOL and INA would not work like a poison in the cooperation of the two countries but we would like if this matter was resolved in a way that would have a positive effect on the bilateral relations. For this to happen we need to de-politicise this case. This has been an over-politicised matter that has not helped the solution." MEDIA STIER TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Croatian) CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, DAVOR IVOR STIER, SAYING: (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION) "Today we agreed that we will change the logic, namely, change currently dominating logic - we don't need to shut our eyes to debate, there is a debate between Croatia and MOL and this has had a negative effect. Today we want to change that logic and improve the relations between the two countries and make a positive effect on the relations." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Croatian) CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, DAVOR IVOR STIER, SAYING: (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION) "The issue of Mr. Hernadi is an issue of justice authorities and not politics. We stressed today that we view this case as one that is not political." MEDIA STIER AND SZIJJARTO SHAKING HANDS AND LEAVING
- Embargoed: 7th December 2016 16:06
- Keywords: Croatia Hungary INA MOL dispute
- Location: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
- City: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
- Country: Hungary
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00159J0VUH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Croatian deputy PM and Foreign Minister Davor Ivor Stier met his Hungarian counterpart in Budapest on his first foreign trip since taking office.
Stier said the timing of his trip was symbolic demonstrating the start of a new era between the two countries which had strained relations in recent years over migration border issues and a dispute over of energy giants INA and MOL.
Zagreb and MOL have for several years been at odds over management rights and over INA's investment strategy and are involved in two separate international arbitrations aimed at resolving their differences.
At today's meeting the two countries vowed to begin a new era of improved relations.
"We would like if the relations of MOL and INA would not work like a poison in the cooperation of the two countries but we would like if this matter was resolved in a way that would have a positive effect on the bilateral relations. For this to happen we need to de-politicise this case. This has been an over-politicised matter that has not helped the solution," Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said.
"Today we agreed that we will change the logic, namely, change the currently dominating logic - we don't need to shut our eyes to debate, there is a debate between Croatia and MOL and this has had a negative effect. Today we want to change that logic and improve the relations between the two countries and make a positive effect on the relations," Stier said.
In reply to a question about dropping an international arrest warrant for MOL' chief executive and chairman, Zsolt Hernadi, Stier said he did not consider it a political matter.
"The issue of Mr. Hernadi is an issue of justice authorities and not politics. We stressed today that we view this case as one that is not political."
Last Friday the Hungarian oil and gas firm MOL said an international arrest warrant has been dropped for Hernadi who is accused in Croatia of bribery.
Hernadi has been indicted in Croatia for allegedly bribing former Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader to allow MOL to have a dominant role in Croatia's energy firm INA. MOL and the Croatian government are the biggest shareholders in INA.
Croatian police confirmed the arrest warrant had been withdrawn by Interpol's executive committee, but added that no explanation had been provided for the decision.
MOL said in a statement that the decision confirmed there was no wrongdoing.
According to a Croatian indictment, Sanader, who was prime minister from 2004 to 2009, received 10 million euros ($10.6 million) as a bribe from MOL. He denied any wrongdoing and Croatia's Constitutional Court last year ruled a retrial due to procedural errors.
Sanader was initially sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison, but for health reasons his renewed trial is currently on hold. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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