Vimpelcom still interested in Tele2 Russia, but not negotiating - Lunder
MOSCOW. May 15 (Interfax) - Vimpelcom, Ltd remains interested in the Russian assets of Tele2, but there are no acquisition negotiations underway at this time, Vimpelcom General Director Jo Lunder told Interfax.
"As far as I know, no negotiating process is going on now, and I really don't know what plans VTB [which owns Tele2 Russia] has for Tele2," Lunder said.
"We remain interested in acquiring Tele2," he said. Vimpelcom has discussed the possibility of a joint Tele2 purchase with OJSC Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) , he noted. "We retain our interest in such a scheme," he said.
OJSC VimpelCom General Director Anton Kudryashov spoke Wednesday with reporters and, when asked about the possible purchase of a stake in Tele2 Russia or of some of its assets, responded, "We are interested in local assets that would help us expand territory of presence, grow market share, and increase profitability. But as to concrete negotiations over any deals we cannot comment."