UNMIK/PR/1537
PRISTINA –The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen, signed today an Executive Decision authorising the Croatian oil company INA to takeover from UNMIK the possession, control and use of the Snake Fuel Depot. Earlier an Agreement setting out the terms and conditions concerning INA’s operations at the Snake Fuel Depot was signed between UNMIK and INA.
The Agreement was witnessed by KFOR and the Prime Minister on behalf of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo (PISG). Under the UNMIK-INA Agreement INA is to pay to the Kosovo Consolidated Fund through UNMIK a fixed monthly concession fee of 22,000 Euros.
“INA’s takeover of the Depot will be of significant value to the Kosovo economy. Its proven track record as a major regional player in the fuel sector should provide for efficient management of this important commercial facility. INA will ensure that a strategic fuel reserve for Kosovo is maintained at all times for use in case of need,” said the SRSG.
The depot is located in Bardosh/Devet Jugovica, which is a state or publicly owned property, has been since late 1999 under temporary administration and control of KFOR until KFOR withdrew from Snake Fuel Depot and handed it over to UNMIK.
UNMIK in close consultation with KFOR and the PISG has determined that the most appropriate operator would be INA, which is a major producer and distributor of oil products in the Western Balkan region with an impressive business record. Since 2000 INA has invested substantial resources in the reconstruction of Snake Fuel Depot. INA is granted exclusive possession and control of the fuel depot for commercial use for a term of five years which may be renewed. This arrangement is without prejudice to the legal status and property rights governing the premises and related assets.
It was agreed that INA will carry out at its own expenses all the necessary service, repairs, maintenance and cleaning works on the storage facilities, plants and technological units.
