B92: State already sold 30 percent stake in Telekom Srbija for EUR 840 million?

Although there is still no official announcement from the government on the sale of Telekom Srbija, there is speculation that the company has already been sold. According to this, Telekom Austria will pay EUR 840 to buy a 30 percent stake in Serbia's state-owned telecommunications company, TV B92 reported.

Former Telecommunications Minister Jasna Matic, who now holds the office of state secretary for digital agenda, took part in a B92 TV talk show to say that she was not informed that such a deal had been reached. However, she added that the sale of 30 percent of Telekom for EUR 840mn seemed "relatively likely". If the state sells a 30 percent stake in Telekom until Wednesday, that will, in the opinion of the former Telecommunications Minister, be a good deal.

- The government originally set the minimum price for the sale at EUR 1.4mn and intended to sell a 50 percent stake, while the price for a 30 percent stake should amount to EUR 840mn - said Ms. Matic and added that Telekom Austria was a renowned company and that she did not have anything against the idea of that company becoming the owner of Telekom Srbija.

Let us remind that the company Telekom Austria is given time until Wednesday, May 4, to improve its offer for the acquisition of Telekom Srbija.

The Government of Serbia has already twice extended the deadline for the Austrian company to improve its offer and, thus, meet the requirements for the commencement of negotiations on the acquisition.

The deadline was first extended on March 29 and then on April 12. As the government announced, the decision on the second extension was made at the request of Telekom Austria.

Reacting on this and similar speculations in the media, the Serbian government has denied that any deal has been made and reminded that no deal can be reached until after the expiration of the deadline given to Austrians.