Lukoil still waits for EC’s answer on its seized assets in Romania

Russian oil group Lukoil hasn’t yet received an answer from the European Commission on the Romanian prosecutors’ decision to seize the company’s assets in Romania, said Vagit Alekperov, president of the Russian group, reports local Economica.net. Last week, Lukoil request the EC’s help to fight the money laundering and tax evasion accusations brought to its refinery in Romania. Vagit Alekperov asked CE for a “more open investigation, as the stable activity at the refinery affects the supply with oil products in the whole European Union.” Romanian prosecutors have decided to seize assets belonging to Lukoil Europe BV Netherlands and Petrotel Lukoil. They have seized bank accounts held by Lukoil Europe BV Netherlands at British and Dutch banks, as well as the shares the firm holds at Petrotel-Lukoil SA Ploiesti. According to the Romanian prosecutors, Petrotel Lukoil’s commercial policy and the financial operations between the company and its majority shareholder, Lukoil Europe BV Netherlands, have led to its decapitalization. The damage generated by misusing the company’s capital is estimated at over EUR 2 billion. editor@romania-inisder.com