KIEV, September 29 (RIA Novosti) - The Ukrainian government does not plan any further re-privatization, the prime minister said Thursday. "Re-privatization is over," Yuriy Yekhanurov said in Dnepropetrovsk, eastern Ukraine.
The prime minister, approved in the post last week, said he planned to restore trust between authorities and business in the first month of his office. "The authorities should make the first steps toward business, moving on from tough control to support," Yekhanurov said.
The premier said respect for private property rights was highly important. "The property that had to be re-nationalized has been de-privatized. All the current disputable issues will only be resolved through negotiations and agreements," Yekhanurov said, adding the authorities would not get involved in corporate conflicts or comment on them.
The previous cabinet headed by Yuliya Tymoshenko launched a campaign to re-privatize some of the assets belonging to businessmen seen as close to former President Leonid Kuchma. In particular, these assets included Ukraine's largest steel mill, Krivorozhstal, holding 20% of the market, and the Nikopol ferroalloy plant. Opponents saw the move as Tymoshenko's attempt to promote the interests of certain business groups.
Yekhanurov is expected to visit Moscow Friday.
