"We do not ban the use of mineral resources for foreign companies and have never talked of it. We talk of strategic deposits. Here, the controlling interest must rest with Russia and foreigners may buy up to 49 percent of the shares. This, I think, is normal also from the point of view of attracting investments", he said.
Mr.Trutnev explained the decision by "Russia having to protect its interests in the use of minerals". "Actually every country in this or that way limits access to minerals for non-resident companies. Tough limitations exist in The Netherlands, Norway and the United States. The mechanisms are different but the gist is the same: minerals are the national assets", he said.
Representatives of all big companies, including non-resident, have participated in discussing the law On Minerals, Mr.Trutnev said.
He said out that foreign companies may take part in the development of offshore fields, which is most capital-intensive and technologically uphill work, and the Minerals Ministry does not rule out the participation of consortiums.
Offshore development should be given priority, Mr.Trutnev said.
"In principle, Russia is doing fine in oil and gas development without offshore fields. But the time when we can do without them is flying. Minding that the development of fields takes eight to ten years, we have to think today of what we are going to do after 2015", Mr.Trutnev said.
