Kosor & Mesic

Kosor, former president Mesic hold talks

09.03.2010 u 20:09

Bionic
Reading

Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor on Tuesday visited former President Stjepan Mesic in his new office for talks on current economic issues, and announced that every 10 days or so the government would propose a new measure aimed at stabilising the state budget and the economy.

Reporters who covered the talks were interested in Kosor's relationship with Mesic's successor Ivo Josipovic, notably in light of last week's farmers' protests.

Kosor said she was certain that she would get along with Josipovic as well as she had with Mesic.

Commenting on remarks from the press that Josipovic had taken the farmers' side, she said he may have not have all the information.

"Also, the president is entitled to talk with anyone, in the manner he wishes. I will try to make our coordination good in the sense that the president has all the information and that we work within our constitutional powers," she added.

Kosor reiterated that she felt that cooperation with Josipovic would be good. "I think that President Josipovic is still finding his stride in a way at the start of his term."

Commenting on farmers' protests, Kosor said the most important thing was that the budget was not exceeded.

She underlined that strengthening the economy was the "goal of goals" and announced a new measure every week or so, but declined to be more specific.

Responding to questions from the press, Kosor said she and Mesic had not talked about former Economy Minister Damir Polancec.

A newspaper alleged today that Polancec had sold the majority managing rights in the state-owned oil company INA to Hungary's MOL, although MOL had not bought the majority stake in INA, in exchange for a EUR 34.2 million credit allegedly used to buy a 10.6 per cent stake in the Croatian food maker Podravka.

Kosor said questions on this subject should be addressed to those involved, the State Attorney's Office and the institutions investigating the case.

She reiterated "full support to independent institutions to do their job in accordance with the constitution and the law ... regardless of someone's name or party membership. I believe the (opposition Social Democrats) SDP will strongly support us in that."

Speaking to the press before Kosor's arrival at the talks, Mesic said that he had requested a probe into INA during his term "so that the truth could be established."

"If Croatia's greatest wealth is turned over to others, one should know how much that costs and who collected the money," he said.

Kosor and Mesic agreed to meet again soon.