Briefing by Deputy Head of the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service Andrei Tsyganov following a meeting of the Government Commission on Monitoring Foreign Investment

Excerpt from the transcript:

Andrei Tsyganov: We have held a regular meeting of the Government Commission on Monitoring Foreign Investment to discuss three major transactions in the sphere of subsoil use.

In the first transaction, the Beijing Gas Group, which is controlled by the Chinese Government, bought a stake in PJSC Verkhnechonskneftegaz (VCNG). It is the first transaction carried out by our Chinese colleagues to enter the share capital of a Rosneft subsidiary. As a result of this major deal, Rosneft will sell a 20 percent stake in VCNG for over $1 billion, which it will invest in the development of its upstream sectors. The deal has been approved by the Government Commission and will soon be closed. The initial agreement was signed at a high level and approved by the top Russian leadership.

In the second transaction, СIS Mining Development Limited bought the rights allowing it to determine the terms of business operation at the Mikheevskiy GOK mining and processing plant. Mikheevskiy GOK is located in the Chelyabinsk Region and owns large copper ore deposits. Foreign investors have come there to implement a large copper ore mining and processing project at a new plant that will be built there.

In the third transaction, the industrial investment sector of the Otkritie Holding will buy a 100 percent stake in Arkhangelskgeoldobycha (AGD), which holds a diamond production licence for the Grib diamond pipe, the Lomonosov diamond field. It is Russia’s second largest diamond field. At present, it is owned by LUKOIL, for which it is a noncore asset. As a result of the deal, it will be turned over to Otkritie Holding’s industrial investment sector, which is owned by several Russian business leaders. They plan to invest in the project to increase diamond production. This transaction is worth over $1 billion. 




On 11 April, Dmitry Medvedev and President of Italy Sergio Mattarella will discuss investment cooperation and joint projects in Moscow

The officials will discuss key issues which concern Russian-Italian cooperation, in particular trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as joint projects in power generation, industry, transportation and other fields.

President of Italy Sergio Mattarella will be in Russia on an official visit at the invitation of President of Russia Vladimir Putin.




Dmitry Medvedev meets with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

The parties discussed bilateral trade and economic cooperation, as well as prospects for establishing a preferential trade regime between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran.

Meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

Excerpt from the transcript:

Dmitry Medvedev: Mr President, I cordially welcome you to Moscow. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the occasion of Nowruz and express my hope that your visit will be productive. At the moment, we have good, advanced relations between our countries, and your visit may deepen our partnership. Tomorrow, you will have talks with President Putin, and today I have the honour and pleasure of discussing with you the current state of international affairs, and, of course, our trade and economic relations. Let me express my confidence that your visit will be held at the highest level and turn a new page in Russian-Iranian cooperation.

Hassan Rouhani (via interpreter): Thank you, Mr Prime Minister, for the opportunity to visit the friendly nation of Russia, which was given to me and my delegation. We are very pleased to have seen positive dynamics in bilateral relations in recent years. President Putin’s visit to Tehran became a new starting point in expanding bilateral relations. I hope that during this visit to Moscow we will witness a new turning point in relations between our countries. We are very pleased that our relations are not limited to one area, but are successfully developing in the areas of politics, economy, and culture, as well as in international and regional affairs. I look forward to seeing our common efforts in the international arena contribute to the strengthening of international and regional peace and stability.

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On 27 March, Dmitry Medvedev and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss a preferential trade regime between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran in Moscow

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and President of Iran Hassan Rouhani will address the current status of, and prospects for, advancing bilateral trade, economic, investment, energy, industrial and agricultural cooperation, and review the progress of large-scale joint projects in various areas.

They will continue to share their views on the establishment of a preferential trade regime between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran.

The President of Iran will make an official visit to Russia on 27–28 March at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin.




Dmitry Medvedev meets with Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao

Excerpt from the transcript:

Meeting with Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao

Dmitry Medvedev: Your Excellency, Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao, Chinese friends, I would like to welcome you to the headquarters of United Russia party on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, where its Central Executive Committee is located.

I know that you have already had meaningful consultations within the framework of party-to-party dialogue in Kazan, where an interparty forum was held. I have discussed it with my colleagues, and they told me that it was an interesting and very useful event.

The relations between our countries have reached a very high level, not only when it comes to interstate relations, but also with relations between the ruling parties, the Communist Party of China and United Russia. It is for this reason that consultations of this kind are even more valuable.

This year, a plethora of events is scheduled on the state and party levels. We are looking forward to meeting our colleagues. I ask you to convey my best wishes to the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. There will be a meeting with President Xi Jinping in July as part of his visit to Russia. The 22nd regular meeting of heads of government will take place in October 2017 in China. So you see, there will be quite a few contacts.

Of course, I would like to wish you every success in preparing for and holding the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, which will have great importance for the development of your country.

Once again, welcome. I’m very glad to meet you.

Song Tao (via interpreter): I am glad for this meeting with our colleagues. First of all, allow me to convey the best wishes of General Secretary Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang. I would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate you on your reelection as Chairman of United Russia party at the recent congress.

This time, I am in Russia at the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping. He often says that bilateral relations between China and Russia are those that matter the most in today’s world, and are the best relations between the great powers. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always be committed to its relations with Russia as those of a comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping have reached major agreements regarding the development of our relations and promoting our centuries-old friendship.

As you have said, there are a number of important events coming up. In May, President Vladimir Putin will travel to China to attend the One Belt, One Road summit, and in September, he will attend a regular meeting of BRICS heads of state. A number of meetings between the two heads of state are expected to take place. You will also travel to China on an official visit.

Close bilateral contacts are indicative of the high level of relations between China and Russia. I think that as global powers, China and Russia are able to influence the international situation in meaningful ways, and they need to step up their strategic cooperation and enhance mutual trust in the interests of stability and peace on the planet.

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