Russian oil companies to initiate a conflict with Ukraine INTERSTATE
The decision of the Government of Ukraine to limit the price of gasoline may result in a serious scandal. Oil companies have already complained to the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov on Ukrainian Yulia Tymoshenko. Experts, however, believe that the oil companies to the wrong place, and should refer to the supervisor Tymoshenko - Ukraine#39;s President Viktor Yushchenko, who is meeting with Russian oligarchs directly promised them support. considers that the Russian oil industry, appealing to the government of the Republic, to the wrong address. The Cabinet, which needs to keep inflation and to fill the budget, by definition, will not talk to them. Should apply to President Viktor Yushchenko, who guaranteed the Russian business positive work environment.
And do it should not Directorate Ukrainian daughters and the Russian owners, and Better yet Western managers, such as Sir John Brown (President of the British-American BP), - said the deputy chairman of the Committee on Industrial Policy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Demekhin. In the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine Kommersant on condition of anonymity, confirmed the assumption Demehina, saying that to resolve the situation with the prices of petroleum products Ukrainian government wants to negotiate only with the heads of Russian companies holding Ukrainian refineries. Talks so far nothing is known, announced only claim. On Tuesday, the Russian oil companies operating in Ukraine, announced their decision not to obey the orders of Ukrainian Ministry of Economy, established the limit selling prices of petroleum products.
Expressing doubts about the legitimacy of the document, Ukrainian representatives of TNK-BP, Lukoil and of the Alliance reported that they will sell the fuel, taking a retail only at market prices, and appealed to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, requesting a meeting. At the same time the Russian leadership of these companies turned to Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov with a request to protect the interests of Russian companies in Ukraine and put this issue on the agenda of talks with the Ukrainian prime minister. At the highest levels of government discussed the possibility of re-privatization of refineries owned by Russian companies, including oil refineries Lisichanskiy (LINOS) and planned stop for repairs Lisichanskiy and Kherson refinery declared almost the main reason for the increase in prices, - quoted an oil industry News Time . Analyst at the Kiev Institute of Economic Research and Policy Consulting Ivan Poltavets told Vedomosti that the situation is not transparent on both sides. It is not clear what criteria authorities proceed by setting price cap, and the companies do not tend to demonstrate its economy, so it#39;s hard to judge how justified their prices. Oil companies have commissioned a legal analysis of the order of the Ministry of Economy, limiting petrol prices.
They also stated that all the penalties to be imposed on their gas stations and oil refineries are ready to challenge in the courts. However, instead of a dialogue with the oil industry, the government of Ukraine has increased pressure on them. Yesterday it was reported that the decision of 18 April 2005 the government restricted the export of motor gasoline and diesel fuel for the period of spring and autumn agricultural operations (monthly average in the republic exported 700,000 tons of oil products account for a large part of the refinery with Russian participation).
The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has launched an investigation into the case on the grounds of anticompetitive concerted actions Lisichansk refinery, TNK-BP Ukraine TD TNK-Ukraine company Lukoil-Ukraine, Lukoil-Odessa Refinery and Litasko (trader Lukoil ). In the case of evidence of violations of the law on protection of economic competition in these businesses can be fined up to 10% of their revenue in 2004, - said the committee. Russian oil companies have two-thirds of the oil market in Ukraine. Lukoil owns the Odessa refinery, TNK-BP - Lisichansk, Ukrtatnafta (daughter, Tatneft) - Kremenchug, the group Alliance with Kazakhoil - Kherson.
Lukoil and TNCs have an extensive network of filling stations in Ukraine.
