Rosneft's planned BP takeover not against spirit of privatization - minister
MOSCOW. Oct 23 (Interfax) - Rosneft's planned takeover of BP does not run against the spirit of privatization, and is designed to make Russian companies more competitive in the world market, Russian Economic Development Minister Andrei Belousov told Interfax, commenting on whether the proposed deal conflicts with the government's privatization plans.
"I think this absolutely does not conflict with the spirit of privatization. This is a policy of boosting the capitalization and power of Russian companies," he said.
The deal, he said, is a "very serious breakthrough" as Rosneft will become "one of the world's biggest companies by reserves and oil production," Belousov said.
"I also see no threats to competition. Given that Rosneft is competing in the world market with other major companies this movement can only be welcomed," he said.
"I'd like to congratulate my colleagues on the deal," he said.
