January 22, 1997. - In the context media reports of eventual merger of LUKOIL and SIDANKO oil companies the LUKOIL press service reports that LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov is currently on a business trip with a delegation led by Federation Council Chairman Yegor Stroyev. Clearly decisions of such importance cannot be discussed in the absence of the company president.

It is true that Alekperov is scheduled to meet the head of UNEXIM bank on Monday. The results of the meeting will be reported later.

Press Centre  OAO "LUKOIL"
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