In response to requests to comment on speculations that Petrokemija may be privatised, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic has said that he does not have enough information to speak about the possible privatisation of the leading Croatian artificial fertiliser producer, and that he believes that the government will do what is the best for the national economy's interests.
"To sell or not to sell something is a decision which the government must make given the situation not only in the state finance but also having in mind whether a certain company can develop with its own means. When there are no possibilities for a company to develop that way, foreign investors should be taken into consideration," Josipovic said on Monday during his visit to the Adriatic city of Zadar.
I don't want to comment a priori on any specific company, it will be a complex assessment, but I am certain the government will do the best for the interests of the Croatian economy, the president said in response to reporters' questions to comment on the Petrokemija case.
"It is most important to keep strategic resources, natural and cultural treasures. They should in no way be privatised," Josipovic said.
Asked by reporters whether he would sell the Kutina-based Petrokemija, he answered that he could not speak about that as he did not have enough parameters.
As for a recent scandal involving Serbian mobsters supplied with Croatian passports, Josipovic said that this was something to be dealt with by the police and the judiciary.
It is beyond doubt that for some time Croatia served as a refuge for criminal figures from the region, he said, adding that "the policy I am advocating is cooperation with the countries in the region in attempts to detect organised crime. Since the establishment of good cooperation with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, results are visible and we have had several serious actions and judicial proceedings. The time is over when criminals cooperated better than state authorities," Josipovic said.
