European Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said in a letter to Czech and Austrian representatives that the Czech Republic and Austria should conclude the Melk process (framework for Temelin’s safety assessment) by mid-November. Verheugen reportedly said in the letter that all security concerns (concerning Temelin) have been removed. While the Czech side shares this opinion, part of Austrian ruling coalition is against and insists on a Temelin shutdown. Should the Melk process not be concluded, the issue should be solved by the European Commision. (Czech Press Agency). This is positive news for CEZ since the European Commission seems to be on the Czech side in the Temelin issue.
HN newspaper informs that the inter-ministry commission will discuss tomorrow the condition that binds the privatization investor to hold the acquired stakes for ten years. The condition could reportedly be modified so that the acquired assets can be split within the privatization consortia, or subject to Cabinet approval. Positive for the stock.
HN also informs that the Antimonopoly Office disagrees with the joint privatization of the transmission grid (a monopoly) and the rest of the privatized assets (CEZ production assets and six regional distributors). Negative news, as this stance could delay the privatization.
(Jiri Soustruznik)