We share the tenets of the Energy Charter Treaty, and will be ready to ratify it after we have coordinated previously agreed amendments with our partners.

The proposed bill will only restrict access to four mineral deposits, while in all other cases foreign companies will be able to create joint ventures with Russian firms.

It is clear that bird flu will bring appalling statistics to the economies. The epidemic must not be allowed to evolve into a pandemic, this is the most important thing.

In the law on subsoil use there will only be four deposits with limited access [to them]. The rest will be open to foreign companies working in joint ventures with Russian companies.

We do not want to create the impression that we are refusing to ratify [the treaty], and we believe we can fully meet our international commitments. But we will not ratify the Energy Charter until it has been amended.

Having this tension is okay, it's a problem with any growth.