Magyar: We are ready to discuss Ina and open a new chapter with Croatia

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated on Monday that Budapest is ready to open a new chapter with Croatia regarding the issue of INA and announced upcoming meetings on the subject.

Peter Magyar said that on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum, he spoke briefly with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and that they directed their ministers of foreign affairs and economy to hold talks regarding the relationship between INA and MOL.

Plenković later added that already on Monday, on the sidelines of the gathering in Bled, the Croatian chief of diplomacy Gordan Grlić Radman and his Hungarian counterpart Anita Orban would meet.

“A meeting of the prime ministers will follow in the foreseeable future,” said Magyar, who removed Viktor Orban from power with an overwhelming election victory in April of this year.

"We are ready to talk. Of course, everyone will defend their national interests, but that is normal. However, we all realize that there is an opportunity for a new chapter between the two countries," he emphasized.

When asked whether Budapest is ready to extradite MOL CEO Zsolt Hernadi, for whom a European arrest warrant has been issued, Magyar did not want to answer directly.

"I have already answered your question by saying that there is a chance to open a new chapter between Croatia and Hungary. Both countries have homework to do. That is my answer," he said.

Plenković then stated that the relationship between INA and MOL has constrained the relations between the two countries, which should be at a much higher level given the quality protection of minorities, general economic exchange, tourism numbers, and energy connectivity.

"I think we are in a position where we are striving to resolve this issue and then move forward," the Croatian Prime Minister concluded.

The relations between INA and MOL have been highly complex for more than a decade, burdened by arbitration proceedings, conflicts over management rights, and the issue of share buybacks—namely, the potential return of INA to Croatian ownership.

Source: HRT