BRATISLAVA, February 16, (WEBNOVINY) – Economy Minister Juraj Miskov insists that sale of 100-percent stakes in the country’s six largest heating companies will be more advantageous for the state. “I see no problem in selling the whole 100 percent. I think this might generate a very interesting sum for the state,” said Miskov after the Cabinet’s session on Wednesday. The decision on the stake to be sold will be made on the basis of an analysis. “Of course, we will wait for the analysis. If the analysis shows that it is most advantageous to only sell a 51-percent stake, then we certainly will stand for the results of the analysis. However Miskov believes that just like in most cases, also in this specific one a 100-percent package would generate a higher price. The minister does not yet know when the analysis of the procedure in privatizing the heating companies could be completed.
The opposition SMER-SD wants a law that would declare heating companies a strategic property of the state and ban selling even one percent of their stocks. SMER-SD Chairman Robert Fico rejects privatization of the heating companies on principle, suggesting that according to the analysis of their economic performance they are able to do without participation of foreign owners. He also warns on a swift increase of heat prices and underlines that already now people in Slovakia pay for energies far more, than is European standard – up to 25 percent of the average income of a Slovak household. SMER wants that their law prohibiting privatization of the heating companies was discussed at an unscheduled parliamentary session, which they plan to initiate in March.
SITA