Both Hungary and Croatia are committed to strengthening cooperation between Mol and INA so that the two firms' consortium remain a key player in the regional energy market, Parliamentary State Secretary Zsolt Németh and Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Josko Klisovic concluded on Friday.

The two officials met during a session of the Hungarian-Croatian intergovernmental committee, held in Budapest for the first time after four years.

State Secretary Németh told a press conference that the two companies' partnership had fine prospects. He added that the details of cooperation had not been discussed today.

Deputy Minister Klisovic expressed hope that both Mol and INA would operate profitably.

He also thanked Hungary for its intensive help in Croatia's EU accession scheduled for next year.

State Secretary Németh added that the two countries formed a strategic alliance which would also be demonstrated by infrastructure projects in the border region.

Both officials praised the enforcement of minority rights and the recent 25% rise in bilateral trade. State Secretary Németh noted that Hungary had become the fourth biggest foreign investor in Croatia with a total investment worth 2.5 billion euros.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)