ST. PETERSBURG, June 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russia’s rail monopoly Russian Railways (RZD) is negotiating a consortium with Greek and Western companies to buy rail assets in Greece, RZD CEO Vladimir Yakunin said on Thursday.
“We are holding talks with Greek and Western companies,” Yakunin said, when asked if RZD would participate in the privatization of Greek assets on its own or jointly with partners.
RZD would use loans to fund the purchase of any Greek rail assets, Yakunin added.
Kommersant business daily reported in early June Yakunin had written to the Russian president with a request for state support for participation in the privatization of the Greek port of Thessaloniki, the rail operator TrainOSE and the repair company Rosco.
RZD has received preliminary data from the Greek government on the selling prices of rail assets, with TrainOSE costing no less than 30 million euros, Rosco 10 million euros and Thessaloniki port 100 million euros.
