GAZPROM delays submitting revised bid for Lithuanian gas purchase

Although the Russian natural-gas giant Gazprom submitted the only application to the State Property Fund for purchasing the 34 percent share in the natural-gas utility Lietuvos Dujos (Lithuanian Gas) earmarked for a gas supplier, it has not yet responded to the request to list what share of the purchase would be assumed by its local strategic partner, Dujotekana, and to identify its shareholders. Lithuanian government officials have unofficially expressed the opinion that the government would prefer that Gazprom supply the gas directly to Lietuvos Dujos without employing the local partner. Economy Minister Petras Cesna said that if Gazprom does not submit the revised application by the 12 August deadline, Lithuania might begin talks with the Russian government on an international gas-supply agreement.