Hungary and Croatia could be preparing for a new round of high-level talks over the long-running dispute surrounding Croatian oil company INA and Hungary’s MOL Group.
Péter Magyar was asked about oil giant MOL’s chief
Speaking at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said Hungary was ready to negotiate with Croatia and that a “new chapter” could begin in relations between the two countries.
Magyar said he had held a brief meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Bled. The two leaders agreed that their foreign and economic ministers should begin talks on the relationship between INA and MOL. Magyar also suggested that a meeting between the two prime ministers could take place in the foreseeable future.
“We are ready to negotiate. Naturally, everyone will defend their own national interests, but that is normal. At the same time, we all see that there is an opportunity to open a new chapter in relations between the two countries,” Magyar said, according to Croatian outlet Jutarni List.
What about Zsolt Hernádi ?
The issue of MOL chairman and chief executive Zsolt Hernádi remains one of the most sensitive aspects of the dispute. Magyar was asked directly whether Hungary would be prepared to extradite Hernádi to Croatia, where a European arrest warrant has been issued against him. However, the Hungarian prime minister did not give a straightforward yes or no answer.
Instead, he referred back to his comments about opening a “new chapter” in Hungarian-Croatian relations. “I have already answered the question by saying that there is an opportunity to open a new chapter between Croatia and Hungary. Both countries have their own obligations that need to be settled. That is my answer,” Magyar said. His response leaves unclear whether Budapest’s position on Hernádi could change. For now, there is no explicit confirmation that Hungary intends to extradite the MOL chief.
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INA dispute has strained relations for years
The relationship between MOL and INA has been a major source of tension between Hungary and Croatia for more than a decade. MOL acquired 25 per cent plus one share of INA in 2003 and subsequently increased its stake. It now holds 49.08 per cent of the Croatian oil company, while the Croatian state owns 44.84 per cent.
The dispute has centred on control of INA, corporate governance and the possibility of Croatia buying back MOL’s stake. The two sides have also been involved in arbitration proceedings. Plenković said the unresolved INA-MOL issues had held back wider Hungarian-Croatian relations, despite strong economic, tourism and energy links between the two countries. “I think we are now in a position where we can try to resolve this issue, and afterwards move on,” the Croatian prime minister said.
Stay up-to-date: Péter Magyar in Bled about crisis management, budget deficit, EU affairs, illegal migration, regional cooperation
Hernádi case remains unresolved
Croatian authorities have accused Hernádi of bribery in connection with MOL’s acquisition of management rights at INA. He has rejected the allegations. His legal case has become closely linked to the wider political and corporate dispute between Budapest and Zagreb.
The latest statements from both prime ministers could signal a renewed attempt to resolve the INA conflict. Whether the proposed talks can deliver a lasting settlement — and whether Hernádi’s case will form part of any broader agreement — remains uncertain.
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