The strategy for the privatization of CFR Marfa was approved by CSAT on February 5.
Talks concerning CFR Marfa have been “constructive”, the press release reads.
President Traian Basescu has convened a special meeting of CSAT to discuss the contract to sell a majority stake in the railway operator, after the Government filed a request to this end Thursday afternoon.
The meeting was scheduled for Friday at 11:00 a.m..
Last Wednesday, the Government approved the contract by which private railway company Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR) takes over 51% of CFR Marfa.
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said CFR Marfa’s sale contract would be signed after CSAT endorsed it, possibly in September, and the privatization procedure would be completed in 60 days. He also said the contract would be sent to CSAT for a standpoint on its clauses.
The Government said Friday CSAT’s failure to issue a standpoint regarding the contract to sell a majority stake in state-owned freight railway carrier CFR Marfa would block privatization and the company would be placed under private management and restructured.
“If CSAT rejects the contract, it will not be signed,” Ponta said.
Bogdan Oprea, spokesman of President Traian Basescu, explained last week that endorsing privatization contracts is not among CSAT’s duties, and accused Ponta of trying to evade responsibility regarding the privatization of the freight railway operator.
GFR recently won an auction organized by the Transport Ministry to privatize CFR Marfa and offered EUR202 million for a 51% stake in the railway operator. GFR also committed to invest RON900 million in the company and another EUR1.5 million in environmental projects.