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Rosneft cannot take part in Bashneft privatization — Russian deputy PM

The decision was made to prevent state-controlled companies from participation in privatization

© EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. Rosneft cannot take part in privatization of oil producer Bashneft because it is indirectly controlled by the government through Rosneftegaz company, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said on Thursday. His statement was conveyed to TASS by Dvorkovich’s press secretary Aliya Samigullina.

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"The decision was made to prevent state-controlled companies from participation in privatization, meaning either direct or indirect control," Samigullina cited official’s words.

Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich expressed official position of the Russian government, press secretary of Russian Prime Minister Natalya Timakova told TASS on Thursday. "Dvorkovich is Deputy Prime Minister and is responsible for what he says. He is a government’s representative; his position is official," Timakova said

TASS reported earlier citing an informed source that Russian oil major Rosneft sent a bid to participate in privatization of Bashneft.

Rosneft is going to act according to the decision of its main shareholder in regard of participation in privatization of Bashneft, the company’s Vice President Mikhail Leontiev told TASS earlier on Thursday. "Next steps - in accordance with the legal instructions of our major shareholder," Leontiev said.

State-owned Rosneftegaz holds over 69.5% of shares in Rosneft. 19.75% of its shares are held by BP.

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