Copos: I only offered the champagne

George Copos has dismissed the allegations made by Tehnofrig Cluj, which suggest that the vice-premier was “personally” involved in the transaction whereby his company, Ana Hotels, took over the controlling interests in the Hilton Hotel. Copos became a government official in December 2004 and therefore had to give up running his business himself. Ana Hotels concluded the talks over the Hilton deal in the first half of last year, and the money was paid three months after that.

“I did not discuss the details of this transaction. The negotiations were conducted by Ana Hotel”s general manager, by the financial manager, by consultants – Ilie Nastase, and by lawyers. I only offered the champagne when the deal was signed. Yes I admit to that!” Copos says.

Tehnofrig is fighting in court to get half of the shares taken over by Ana Hotels in Hilton. However, Ana Hotels says the Cluj-based company did not come up with the money in due time, as previously agreed upon, so that Ana Hotels paid for the entire stake (18-20 million euros), and therefore believes it is entitled to the whole of it. Copos says he has met with the people at Tehnofrig on several occasions but adds that he “did not discuss any details” about this transaction. The vice-premier says they talked about something else.

The Tehnofrig Cluj officials, however, say that vice-premier George Copos was personally involved in this deal. “During the meetings between our company”s representatives and those of the Ana group companies, Mr. George Copos participated as a decision-maker. He also participated in the negotiations over the acquisition of the controlling interests from Vivendi, which were held both in Bucharest and in Paris. Mr. Copos” statement about him not being involved in this deal is an outright untruth,” stated Dan Bobis, the chairman of Tehnofrig”s Board of Directors at the end of last week. Copos also says he did not participate in the negotiations whereby his company took out a loan from BRD to pay for the Hilton shares. The two parties are waiting for the court to deliver its ruling on the matter.