The state to try buy shares of Slovenské elektrárne

Slovakia is interested in boosting its status in electricity utility Slovenské elektrárne (SE), so it will lead talks with the current majority shareholder, Italian company Enel that owns 66 percent, on acquiring a majority stake. Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed this after talks with Enel General director Francesco Starace in Bratislava. He added that the state will be interested in at least 17 percent of the total of 66 percent stake sold by Enel. Of course, this according to him also means obtaining management control. Fico conditioned the state's interest in the shares by a guarantee that Enel will retain full responsibility for the completion of the nuclear power plant Mochovce. Enel is aware that the completion of Mochovce is important, stated its General director. "The biggest factor that affects the sale of the power utility is the completion of Mochovce. I think that the fact that we still repeat our interest in completing Mochovce most contributes to the value of Slovenské Elektrárne at present. However, it needs to be understood that it is not Enel that builds Mochovce, but it is Slovenské Elektrárne," said Starace. Slovenské Elektrárne is the largest electricity producer in Slovakia. In April 2006, Enel became its main shareholder with 66 percent of the company. The remaining 34 percent of shares are owned by the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.