LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov

At the World Economic Forum in Davos LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov said in a statement that the company repels the accusations expressed by the Security Service of Ukraine and hopes for unbiased attitude towards the situation related to the company’s activities in Ukraine.

He said that throughout the history of the company, it has had no conflicts either in the former USSR countries, or in any other regions around the world. LUKOIL is operating in 48 countries, including 27 EU countries.

“The company did not illegally import or sell petroleum products in Ukraine. LUKOIL has always adhered and is adhering to the international law and the respective legislations of the countries of its presence”.

According to Mr. Alekperov there are no objective reasons for the accusations. He stated that LUKOIL intends to protect its rights by all legal means. The company already made a request to the Ukrainian party for the documents which allegedly served as the ground for the charges.

Sergey Pigarev, Financial Analyst for RMG Securities, doubts validity of accusations. “Ukraine went through a change of government and, as it often happens in developing countries and in the countries of Eastern Europe, a redistribution of assets is possible”. Mr. Pigarev characterized LUKOIL as one of the largest oil and gas companies that would never risk its reputation for short-term profit or anything else.

Mr. Alekperov noted that he hopes that negotiations with Ukrainian party will settle the issue.

Vagit Alekperov’s statements come after Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov during the press conference in Moscow promised all necessary support to the Russian energy companies in the Ukraine.

Tags: Lukoil