ZAGREB, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Croatian Parliament adopted on Wednesday urgent procedure on amendments to the INA Act, the legislation on the leading Croatian oil company.
A total of 74 deputies of Parliament voted to amend the INA Act, while two opposed. Most opposition MPs did not respond to voting.
Article 10 has been changed, according to which Croatia had exclusive right to control changes in ownership of the entire society until now, and vetoing certain decisions and the right to re-assert part or all of the property.
The Croatian government, in preparing the amendments to the INA Act, stressed that these changes must be made and aligned with the acquis communautaire.
The opposition parties opposed the changes, claiming that they favor Hungarian MOL and accused the government of acting against the national interests of Croatia.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Croatia, the largest opposition party, believes that the amendment of the INA Act opens the possibility for MOL to become majority owner of the company.
Croatian INA and Hungarian MOL have been cooperating since 2003 when Hungarian company bought 25 percent plus one share of INA for 505 million U.S. dollars.
In the meantime, many changes to the shareholder's mutual contract followed, and former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader was charged with selling for 10 million U.S. dollars to MOL the management rights in the company. Judicial proceedings are still underway.
The Croatian government repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the management of INA by Hungarian MOL, especially after the decision to close the Sisak refinery. However, Croatia lost the court dispute in Geneva seeking the annulment of the oil company's management agreement.
