14 Mar 2014 22:02

Crimea to nationalize mineral resources after referendum - PM

MOSCOW. March 14 (Interfax) - Crimea will nationalize all its mineral resources after Sunday's planned referendum, and this "will make it possible to supply the whole of Crimea with natural gas," the Ukrainian region's prime minister promised.

"All the mineral resources, all the natural wealth that exists today on the territory of the [region] will be nationalized. Jointly with the Russian Federation, we will be able to secure the right to extract mineral resources on the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and nobody will be able to dispute our choice," Sergei Aksyonov said in a program on Friday on Russia's Rossiya 1 television.

"They surely are large reserves. Today two oilrigs operate at those deposits," he said.