Solution to the problem of air pollution caused by the oil refinery in Bosanski Brod is on the horizon

The President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, met on Friday evening in Slavonski Brod with representatives of local authorities and environmental associations to inform them about the resolution of the air pollution problem from the refinery in Bosanski Brod, owned by the Russian company "Zarubežnjeft", HRT reported, NAP conveys. Last weekend, Grabar-Kitarović discussed this issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

She said that last night's meeting was constructive and that it involved a discussion of technical solutions to the air pollution problem. She announced that she would also discuss this issue with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Croatia, Anvar Azimov, on Monday.

- After the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Munich, I feel optimistic for the first time that we have established political frameworks for resolving this issue, said Grabar-Kitarović. Reminding that the Russian company "Zarubežnjeft" owns the refinery in Bosanski Brod, she said that Lavrov himself mentioned its modernization.

The Mayor of Slavonski Brod, Mirko Duspara, said after Friday's meeting that he hopes there is an economic interest that will accelerate the resolution of the air pollution problem. 

- We will continue to exert pressure because we do not have time. Diseases directly related to pollution are on the rise in Slavonski Brod. It is certain that it originates mostly from the refinery in Bosanski Brod - emphasized Duspara. He added that they would give the Croatian president an opportunity to achieve what she announced in the coming weeks.

The coordination of civil associations fighting for clean air in Slavonski Brod assesses that the highest-level talks between Croatia and the Russian Federation to date are the result of their pressure and protests. Mladen Sudar, a member and spokesperson for the coordination, said that the associations view the Croatian president's initiative positively. 

- The dissatisfaction of the associations is directed at the European Commission - he added. Residents of Slavonski Brod have been suffering from air pollution for eight years due to the oil refinery in Bosanski Brod. Conveyed by Patria.