Brewer Heineken continues to invest in Russia, having previously said it would no longer do so. Follow the Money writes about it. Foreign Minister Hoekstra calls the situation “complicated”. “I think companies should think three times before acting like we can go on any longer.”
According to Hoekstra, it hasn’t been “business as usual” since Russia started a war on our continent in February last year. Companies that have since been subject to sanctions must comply with this, says the foreign minister: “Otherwise they will come into conflict with the prosecutor’s office and the criminal court, and in my opinion it is completely justified.”
Difficult situation
Hoekstra also sees that there are also companies that consider it inexpedient to continue doing business in Russia. The minister defines ‘reasonable to follow that line’. However, there also appear to be companies still investing in Russia, including Heineken. Hoekstra says it’s not the companies that do it, that it’s up to the board of directors of such a company, but he calls it a “difficult situation.”
The foreign minister points out that he does not know the specific example of Heineken, but rather that he has the impression that the brewer has said that he will no longer look for anything in Russia. Hoekstra says he believes that companies and governments should take a different path since the war broke out. “We’re dealing with a completely different situation, so I don’t think you can continue like this.”
Heineken must gradually exit Russia. ‘
CDA member of parliament Agnes Mulder also struggles with the fact that Heineken is still operating in Russia. ‘Companies we spoke to that are still active in Russia have indicated that they are closing their operations. This is quite difficult in some companies, but I have an issue with people still being able to have a beer,’ she says Mulder. “Heineken should reduce if it can, that would be wise.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
