Santo Domingo. - The talks between the Dominican and the Venezuela governments over the sale of a stake in the country’s only refinery aim to guarantee a permanent fuel supply and dispense with fears of shortages when storms and tankers delays occur.

A National Palace source said after the negotiations the government will still control the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (Refidomsa), different from what occurred with the previous partner, whose decisions predominated. “This it will be an agreement between two States, that is to say, that does not matter if Hugo Chavez leaves the government, it is an agreement that will be made signed properly, and what it is agreed to properly it will be fulfilled and it is not truth that the national sovereignty is in game”

On Friday president Leonel Fernandez went to the 6th Petrocaribe Summit in St Kitts and Nevis, where the possible sale of 49% of Refidomsa’s shares was reported.

As part of the Summit’s results, the Petrocaribe Member States agreed to expand the region’s hydrocarbon supply infrastructure and bolster investment in electricity generation.

Some sectors in the country, economists, industrialists and even the Catholic Church, have expressed their opinions on the possible sale.

Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Catholic Church’s main spokesman, demanded transparency in the negotiations.

SOURCE: listin.com.do