Romanian President Nikusor Dan said today that Romania's intention is to take over the "Petrotel" refinery of the Russian company "Lukoil" to be bought by someone, but there is also the option for the state to take control of it for a limited period of time, the economic publication "Ekonomedia" reported, BTA reported.
The head of state also believes that "nothing makes us hurry", although on November 21, American sanctions against "Lukoil" come into force, which may block the company's activities in Romania, the media commented.
He pointed out that there is a working group in the government on the topic and reminded that the "Petrotel" refinery in Ploiesti is currently closed for maintenance and is due to be opened in a few weeks.
"As you can see, the fact that it is closed does not affect the supply (of fuels to Romania - ed.). But in the medium and long term, if it no longer processes, refines, we will have to import more. This is the problem," Nikusor Dan said at a press conference.
"On the one hand, there is no risk that it will be taken over by some Russian front company, because we have a commission that evaluates all sales to companies of strategic interest. There is no such risk," the Romanian president also pointed out, referring to the Commission for the Verification of Foreign Direct Investments.
"Of course, we are interested in it being taken over by someone, but nothing obliges us to rush this process. There is also an option that requires a special regulatory framework - for a limited period of time, it would be taken over by the Romanian state, the head of state added.
The Romanian government has rejected the possibility of postponing the US sanctions, which are due to come into force on November 21, and has indicated that it is working on a law that would allow it to take control of the Petrotel-Lukoil refinery, which has a refining capacity of approximately 2.5 million tons per year, and the Russian company's network of 320 gas stations in Romania, notes "Ekonomedia".
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on "Lukoil" - the second largest oil company in Russia - last month in an attempt to reduce Russia's revenues from the energy sector.