Eni's shareholders' meeting called to approve the 2016 financial statements and the distribution of 80 cents of dividend (40 already paid in advance) as well as the renewal of the board of directors which sees the outgoing top management confirmed. There are shareholders equal to 63,4% of the share capital. President Emma Marcegaglia, opening the meeting, specified that shareholders with voting rights above 3% are CDP which holds 25,76% and the Ministry of Economy with 4,34%.
The shareholders' meeting is also called to vote on the remuneration and long-term incentive plan which provides for the free assignment of treasury shares to Eni's chief executive officer and top management.
"We confirm for the future, supported by the results achieved, our remuneration policy growing according to the expected improvement of the scenario and profits", guaranteed the top management Emma Marcegaglia and Claudio Desclazi at the beginning, underlining that after the first three years of office dedicated to the restructuring and transformation of the group deliver to the shareholders "a company with renewed strategies, more efficient and capable of generating value on a stable basis in the new energy scenario that is emerging". Important objectives to achieve which "management continuity is fundamental" said Marcegaglia. There was also a reference to the fact that "Eni in the last 25 years has not been convicted even in the first degree for corporate crimes, fraud or corruption".
After the presentations by the chairman and managing director, questions from shareholders began on the first items on the agenda. Among the first interventions was that of Jacopo Fo, son of Dario Fo, who asked if the time was ripe for an innovative offer with attention to social and environmental responsibility. For the tenth time in a row, he participates as a critical shareholder in the meeting of Eni Re:Common which, together with the Fondazione Finanza Etica, The Corner House and Global Witness, presented questions concerning Opl 245 and activities in the Republic of the Congo.
As for Saipem, "we keep it because we believe in it". This is the comment of Eni's CEO, Claudio Descalzi speaking of the 30,5% stake in Saipem. 'It's a very strong company, as soon as the oil price rises Saipem will explode; it doesn't need a mum and dad, it's made up of super professionals”.
Il Eni title is down 1,25% on the stock exchange as of 14,02pm on Thursday.
