N

PM Orbán meets Croatian prime minister to resolve ongoing MOL dispute

The prime minister said that Hungary is ready to enter into a fair deal in order to resolve the dispute over the role of the Hungarian multinational oil and gas company MOL in the Croatian energy company INA

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has held important talks with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of Croatia, to help resolve the ongoing MOL issue.

The prime minister said that Hungary is ready to enter into a fair deal in order to resolve the dispute over the role of the Hungarian multinational oil and gas company MOL in the Croatian energy company INA.

PM Orbán said that relations between Hungary and Croatia – which historically have been excellent – could be poisoned by this dispute, which should therefore be brought to an end as soon as possible.

The prime minister said that Hungary would like to see a fair solution concluding this issue as soon as possible, and it would be fair if the Croatians “get it [INA] back”.

PM Orbán highlighted that this is a matter of business, which Hungary does not see as a governmental issue. He said that it supports resolution of the matter as soon as possible, and if the Croatian government does not wish to see MOL in Croatia, Hungary is ready to enter into a fair deal and return its share in INA.

The prime minister said the agreement must be fair, and concluded as soon as possible, so that relations at every level can be restored to their previous status, without “this whole poisoning issue”.

PM Orbán said that he and Plenković had reviewed relations between the two countries, and concluded that in the past few years there have been some highly positive bilateral developments.

The prime minister also pointed out that economic figures are promising, trade is expanding and Hungarians are also part of the Croatian economy, the growth of which is welcomed by Hungary.