The Hungarian government said late Monday it had nothing to do with Russian firm OAO Surgutneftegaz (SNGS.RS) gaining a stake in Hungarian oil and gas company MOL Nyrt. (MOL.BU).
"The government firmly states that during its talks with its Russian counterpart, never - and not even in an informal way - did it discuss an acquisition in MOL (by a Russian company)," government spokesman David Daroczi said in a release.
OAO Surgutneftgaz, Russia's fourth biggest crude oil producer, bought Austrian oil and gas company OMV AG's (OMV.VI) 21.2% MOL stake for EUR1.4 billion, OMV said Monday. MOL said it regards the Russian firm as a financial investor as its intentions are unclear and it favors its independence.
"In a market economy, it isn't the task of the government to comment on a stock exchange transaction if carried out in line with the appropriate regulations. At the same time, it is in Hungary's interest that the national oil company keeps its independence," Daroczi said.
The move raised speculation among market players that MOL could become a takeover target again after OMV's buyout failure last year.
The government's view didn't change, the spokesman added. "It doesn't support if any entity tries with a hostile intention to gain influence over strategic sectors," Daroczi added.