If the war in Ukraine continues and if it proves necessary, the government will consider additional measures along with its set of measures designed to alleviate the impact of rising energy prices, to go into force as of April 1, Economy Minister Tomislav Coric said on Thursday.

Coric made the statement speaking to reporters ahead of a government session when asked if the government would introduce additional measures of support for the business sector and households due to the war in Ukraine.

He added that he hoped the Russian aggression on Ukraine would stop and that if that did not happen, the government “will consider additional measures”.

Asked about Croatian exporters doing business in Russia, Ukraine, and other eastern markets who were now seeking the government’s help, Coric said that the government would take care of them as well.

“… let us define solutions in analyses that will follow,” he said.

Asked if Croatia had a list of “wealthy Russians” active in Croatia who faced sanctions – hotel, yacht, and other property owners – and whether the sanctions would also apply to them, the minister said that Croatia would follow the practice of other European countries.

Asked if Croatian companies doing business with Russians, for example Petrokemija, should be punished as well, Coric wondered why would someone’s business be restricted if they obtained gas “from the other side.”

The supply of Croatia and legal entities with gas is still unimpeded, as elsewhere in Europe, he said.

Asked about Croatia’s position on Russian gas and if he was in touch with the PPD company, Coric said that according to his information, gas supply was normal for the time being and there were no indications that it would be suspended.

He added that Croatia was in a specific situation because the LNG terminal on the northern Adriatic island of Krk had a capacity equivalent to the total domestic consumption of the business sector and households, that its capacity had been rented by a number of clients, from those in Croatia (HEP, INA…) to those from Hungary and elsewhere, and that market competition should not be disrupted in that regard.

“We have alternative supply routes but suspension of supply from the Russian Federation to Europe would definitely cause huge damage to the European economy,” he said.

Asked if the government was considering freezing fuel prices, the minister said that the government’s next moves would be known by next Tuesday, when the decree capping those prices expires.