The Council of Ministers approved this Tuesday the signing of an agreement with the United Arab Emirates for the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments that paves the way for the entry of the public consortium Taqa into Naturgy within the framework of the process of reorganizing its shareholding. The Government, however, assured that it will analyze the operation as it affects a company considered strategic.
The Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business, Carlos Body, said last week that “Spain has the necessary instruments and has reinforced regulations that allow a perfect balance between the protection of Spanish companies and strategic interests and the attraction of investment. direct foreigner.”
Body indicated that this protection sometimes entails the entry of the State into participation, as has been the case of Telefónica, but in others such as Orange and MásMóvil it entailed the establishment of a series of requirements so that investments and employment are maintained. in Spain.
“The Government has the necessary channels and instruments to analyze this operation when the proposal becomes official. From there we will see how to maintain the strategic interests of Spain,” he stated in statements collected by the Europa Press agency. In any case, the presence of CriteriaCaixa and its desire to continue in Naturgy guarantees the presence of a reference Spanish shareholder.
