It is possible that Gazprom is the main shareholder of OMV, Premier’s adviser Valcov says. Offshore law, President Iohannis – targeted. OMV Austria – no comment

Prime Minister’s adviser for economic issues, Darius Valcov, makes new controversial statements and claims, in an interview, that there is information from sources that Gazprom could be the main shareholder of OMV. In this way, “Romanian gas could go into Russian hands,” he said. Valcov is also dissatisfied that Exxon is based in Bahamas and “we are not able to conduct checks, we have no exchange of information with Bahamas.” The statements were made in an interview to DCnews, quoted by hotnews.ro.

The two companies are the main players involved in the project to extract oil and gas from the Black Sea.

Darius Valcov said the Romanian state will not accept ‘blackmail’ and that it is not fair that OMV is the only winner from the offshore law, charging altogether President Klaus Iohannis of taking sides with the Austrians.

“Last year, OMV has a RON 2.6 billion profit. Such profits are only on OMV’s side. These issues should be discussed and that the Romanian state does not accept blackmail anymore. Is the Austrian state to win every time? It worked once, now it is no longer possible,” Valcov said.

“The world capital market and information from sources say that it is possible Gazprom is the main shareholder of OMV. There is no certainty, but it is a possibility that Romanian gas goes into the Russians’ hands. A solution would be to mend such things,” Valcos added.

He said he took part to two meetings with the ones interested in exploring the Black Sea, telling them the state and the investors have to be in a win-win situation. In other countries, the state collects 40-50% of the revenues and the investors 50-60%.

“For Romania it is a large amount of money (over EUR 100 billion) with investments of EUR 2.5 billion. (…) Let’s agree on 25, but let the current laws rule,” Valcov said.

The Premier’s economic adviser said that “on January 8, the OMV’s CEO Rainer Seele had a meeting with Iohannis. I don’t know what the discussions were about, Mr. Iohannis does not make public such information. In July, the Romanian Parliament adopted the bill and mentions USD 6.3 billion for the Romanian state and that 50% of gas to be traded in Romania. Then in August, the President rejects the law. An Austrian came yesterday to say there are huge problems in Romania. Well, there are: Romania will not sell the gas free of charge!” Valcov said.

OMV Austria would not comment

OMV Austria informs in a release on Tuesday that it will not reply to the recent statements made by PM’s advised on economic issues, Darius Valcov.

“As far as we understand, the offshore bill is still undergoing the legislative process and is not yet implemented, reason for which OMV finds itself in the position not to comment. Also, no comments will be made regarding the statements of Mr. Valcov,” OMV Austria representatives said.

In 2015, I was proposed to be Premier by the Gusa-KGB line

Darius Valcov claimed on Tuesday that in 2015 he was proposed to be Premier “by the Gusa-KGB line” to betray PSD and the position of Prime Minister was offered, adding that “it was intended that I am recruited by KGB”, but he refused.

“In March, Mr. Basescu sent a letter, through Mr. Danut Liga, Mr. Basescu’s former adviser, who sent it further through Mr. Mihai Nita, by which I was requested to resign from the Finance Ministry and become Vice-president with the World Bank (when we were conducting negotiations with the IMF). I refused. Concomitantly, I received another offer to betray PSD, to forge an alliance with Vasile Blaga and part of the PDL at the time. I could have become Prime Minister. The offer was made by the Gusa-KGB line,” Darius Valcov said.

It was intended for me to be recruited by the KGB, but I refused, he added.

“Why do I say KGB? Because I know the relations I had with Gusa, it is known it was intended for me to be recruited by KGB, but I refused,” Valcov said.