ZAGREB, April 20, 2018 - The statement by the new CEO of the INA oil company, Sandor Fasimon, about the possible closure of hundreds of jobs at the Sisak oil refinery has unnecessarily "contaminated" the entire process surrounding INA, Environmental Protection and Energy Minister Tomislav Ćorić said on Friday, adding that one of the strategic goals of the Croatian government is to maintain the high level of employment in Sisak-Moslavina County.
"As for Fasimon's interview, the Croatian government and MOL are strategic partners in INA management and we think that any move in managing this company should be the result of an agreement. The government has hired consultants for a buyback of MOL's shares in INA and we think that any actions outside this context make no sense," Ćorić said when asked by the press to comment on Fasimon's statement that he was thinking of closing 400-500 jobs at the Sisak refinery.
MOL holds 49% of shares in INA, while the Croatian government owns 44%.
Speaking in an interview with the RTL commercial television channel in Budapest on Thursday, Fasimon announced the closure of plants at the Sisak oil refinery and pledged that all the workers would be taken care of.
"My view, considering the company's business results, is that Sisak is not making money. That means that it needs a transformation. What will most likely happen is that the refinery will be at one location, while the other one will be used for logistics, for other industrial purposes," said Fasimon.
Ćorić said he expected "to hear the Hungarian side" after Fasimon's inauguration as chairman of INA's management board in mid-June. "I believe talks will be held at the level of the supervisory board. We will exchange our views in the months ahead, and I believe that this statement of his should not longer be the subject of discussion. Our position in this context is clear," Ćorić said.
Ćorić said that one of the government's strategic goals is to main the high level of employment in Sisak-Moslavina County and that INA remains a vertically integrated company, which implies the refining business.
