Referring to UNIPETROL's press release dated March 23rd, 2006 (which is attached for ease of reference), the UNIPETROL's Board of Directors informs as follows: On 26 January 2006, DEZA commenced court proceedings in Prague, claiming contractual penalties against UNIPETROL, a.s. under certain agreements related to shares in AGROBOHEMIE, a.s. and ALIACHEM, a.s., respectively. Under these court proceedings, DEZA applied for a payment order to be made against UNIPETROL, a.s.

UNIPETROL, a.s. received the payment order on 5 April 2006. UNIPETROL, a.s. will request the court that the payment order be cancelled and that the full proceedings be commenced on the merits of the case. Within these proceedings, UNIPETROL, a.s. will continue with its claim that the above mentioned agreements are invalid and that, therefore, DEZA's claim for contractual penalties should be rejected.​