MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. Understanding of state-owned companies’ inability to participate in the privatization program still dominates in Kremlin. However, the question of Rosneft participation in the program is still not univocal, Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Wednesday, responding to a question about whether the government made a decision on participation of Rosneft in privatization of state-owned Bashneft.
"We have repeatedly talked about the dominant understanding - these companies should not participate in privatization process," Peskov said. At the same time, he noted that technically Rosneft is a joint-stock company, so "there are some difficulties in the assessment."
"This is a company that works according to the corporate law, traded on markets, has a number of different shareholders, and controlled by the state. Therefore, the situation cannot be perceived as absolutely linear and simple, there are certain nuances," Peskov said.
Peskov declined to comment on the value of the government’s stake in Rosneft of $3 bln, voiced earlier by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.
Peskov noted that "the Kremlin is not engaged in evaluation of assets, it does not have the functions of consulting companies, so it cannot assess the announced amount."