ZAGREB, CROATIA - Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said on Monday that the government will discuss the option of Qatar constructing Liquefied Natural Gas terminals in Croatia with partners included in the consortium for the construction of the Omisalj terminal.

- I also spoke with the Qatar emir in New York. Therefore, we have constant talks and this is a very serious combination – Sanader replied when asked if the cabinet supported the idea of Croatian President Stjepan Mesic that Qatar should construct the LNG terminal in Croatia.

He reminded that there is also an idea to construct terminals in Ploce, for which Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency member Haris Silajdzic recently expressed interest

- This is a relatively old, now renewed idea, we will consider it and discuss it with out partners in the European consortium, where Croatian companies hold 25 percent – Sanader said, answering reporters` questions following the meeting anent the first anniversary of the coalition government`s work.

He explained that the idea of another party entering the consortium will also be discussed.

- There is interest of MOL, not only through INA, but also as of an independent company, but we will open the issue of another LNG terminal and see who would be the possible investor here. The question is if Croatia has the financial power for two LNG terminals and if it does not, we will see what this means and whether we would give it to someone for concession or it someone would be the investor – Sanader said.

He pointed out that Croatia is interested in Bosnia-Herzegovina`s energy independence as well.

PM Sanader confirmed that the construction of a new underground gas storage would take place, above all for Croatian necessities, but other nearby countries would be able to store gas there as well.

PM Sanader also commented on the announcements of lay offs because of nonworking Sundays.

- I dismiss arguments of certain shopping malls and chains that they will have to lay people off because of non-working Sundays. They did not hire these people to work on Sundays, so they have no reason to let them go because Sundays are now non-working days – Sanader said, adding that the governing coalition will observe the affects the law which organises the work of shops on Sundays has on the economy and the general state of the country.