Prague 12 January 2009 – The CEO of Unipetrol, François Vleugels, and the Director of the National Theatre, Ondřej Černý, signed today a cooperation agreement for 2009 between the two institutions. 

The agreement signed today is already the third in a row. Cooperation between the two organisations began in 2006 in terms of support for the “Year of Mozart” project. Unipetrol became a partner of the theatre a year later. 

“I always appreciate the unique cultural heritage, which the theatre represents for Czech society in the building of the National Theatre. So I am very pleased that today I am able to confirm support for the National Theatre for 2009 on behalf of Unipetrol,” said the CEO of Unipetrol François Vleugels on the occasion of signature of the contract.

The National Theatre will be presenting a total of 17 premieres this season. Further new performances are being prepared for the 2009/2010 season. This means that around 15 should have been studied by the end of this year. 

“I am personally very happy that professional and also friendly cooperation, which is useful for both institutions, is now being developed for the third year running. Thanks also for the fact that even at a time of financial and economic crisis, Unipetrol has not forgotten to support top class culture," said Ondřej Černý, Director of the National Theatre.

UNIPETROL, a.s., controls companies, which are active in the petrochemical industry in the Czech Republic. In 2005, UNIPETROL became part of the PKN ORLEN Group, which is the largest processor of crude oil in Central Europe. The UNIPETROL Group is mainly focused on processing of crude oil, distribution of fuels and petrochemical production. In all of these areas, the UNIPETROL Group is an important player in the Czech Republic and also on the market in Central Europe. In the Czech Republic, the group is one of the most important companies with regards to turnover and employs approximately 4500 people.

Contact: 
Blanka Růžičková 
Spokesperson 
UNIPETROL, a. s. 
Telephone: +420 225 001 407, +420 731 881 111 
E-mail: blanka.ruzickova@unipetrol.cz​