Finance Minister Slavko Linic and Economy Minister Ivan Vrdoljak on Thursday refuted some media headlines that there was a conflict between them concerning amendments to the law on the privatisation of the INA oil company, stressing that the process of adopting any law includes stating opinions, even opposite opinions, but that does not mean that there is a conflict and misunderstanding.
"Minister Vrdoljak and I have excellent cooperation, however, we have different opinions about many issues, but given our good cooperation, we know how to harmonise our positions," Linic told reporters outside the government headquarters, asked if there was a conflict between him and Vrdoljak about amendments to the INA Privatisation Act.
It is every government member's job to try to see why a law was necessary and whether there were grounds for its adoption, Linic said.
"It is the Finance Ministry's job to give its opinion and that we shall do," Linic said adding that in the phase on harmonisation, opinions were often opposite.
He said that nine bills in the Finance Ministry were currently waiting to be submitted to the government procedure.
"These bills are on hold because many ministers have opposite opinions. Does this mean that there is a conflict and misunderstanding between them? No. It means that we are doing our job," Linic said.
Minister Vrdoljak also said there were no disagreements between him and Linic. "Why would there be?" Vrdoljak said, reiterating that the bill of amendments INA Privatisation Act was in the procedure.
According to some media, amendments to the INA Privatisation Act were being drafted, which propose striking out Article 10 relating to the protection of Croatian interests in the company, as part of legislative alignment with the European Union, as part of legislative alignment with the European Union.
Minister Linic said on Tuesday evening that his ministry believed that the law on the privatisation of the INA oil company was in line with EU legislation and competition rules and did not need to be changed substantially.
Asked about Linic's objections to a bill of amendments to the law on the privatisation of the oil company INA and how this law would be amended, Minister Vrdoljak said on Wednesday that "we are completely clear and transparent and will do what is best both for INA and for Croatian citizens." He said the bill was sent to the relevant state bodies and that it was aimed at maximising Croatia's interests and respecting the commitments that had been undertaken.
Reporters today also asked the finance minister about his talks with a mission of the International Monetary Fund that is on visit to Croatia. Linic said this was a regular visit of the IMF delegation which will then make a report on the 2012 budget, results of the government's budgetary policy and give its evaluation of this year's budget, Linic said.
