"Gazprom neft" close to agreement on purchase of control package in Petroleum Industry of Serbia

Russian company "Gazprom neft" announced yesterday (January 22, 2008) that it was close to the agreement on purchase of control package of stocks in "Petroleum Industry of Serbia" (NIS), but that it was still to early to speak about deadlines, terms and volume of that package.

- We are in the middle of the negotiations (about procurement of the control package of stocks) and we are close to some agreement - said representative of "Gazprom neft", Natalija Vjalkina, to Itar-Tass agency.

Russian state newspaper agency cites that it is expected that the agreement with the Government of Serbia will be signed by the Minister of Industry and Energy, Viktor Hristenko, on Russian behalf.

- By the rule, such documents are always signed by the authorized minister and it is most likely that that agreement will be signed by Minister Hristenko - people from Russian Ministry of Industry and Energy said to that agency.