March 14 (SeeNews) - Croatian economy minister Ivan Vrdoljak has confirmed meetings with Rosneft and Gazprom Neft over the possible sale of a stake in oil and gas company INA [ZSE:INA-R-A] but reiterated that Croatia is not planning to exit the Zagreb-based company, local media reported on Friday.
Hungary's MOL owns 49.08% of INA and the Croatian government controls a further 44.84%. In September, the two sides launched talks to renegotiate the terms for the company's management.
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"We had a meeting with representatives from Rosneft and today we have a meeting with representatives from Gazprom Neft. We are exchanging information, discussing the gas business, energy policy in the region, informing them about our strategic goals and intentions, and of course among all this there is a mention of the topical subject of INA," state-run broadcaster HRT reported, quoting Vrdoljak.
"And I will repeat our position, which we have made clear in the negotiations with our colleagues from Hungary - we are not selling our stake," the minister added.
In February, INA said MOL has asked for the assistance of its management to set up a data room for the possible sale of its stake in the Croatian company.
In January, Croatian media reported that unless there is a breakthrough in the ongoing talks by springtime, MOL would move to divest its stake.
In Southeast Europe, Gazprom Neft owns a majority stake in Serbian oil and gas company NIS.