MOSCOW, July 12 (RIA Novosti) - The state-controlled foreign trade bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) denied Thursday it has purchased a 50% stake in the Siberia-based Tomskneft oil company.
"This asset is not on Vnesheconombank's books, so no deal has been made," VEB head Vladimir Dmitriyev said.
Asked by a reporter whether VEB money could have been involved in the purchase of Tomskeft shares by Russia's state-controlled oil company Rosneft [RTS: ROSN], Dmitriyev said "no."
He said VEB only provided consultations on the deal.
Rosneft said last Monday it had sold 50% of its stake in the Siberia-based former Yukos production unit to state-run VEB.
"The sides agreed to share the management and decision-making in the Tomskneft oil company, including the rotation of its top officers," Rosneft said.
Rosneft bought 100% in Tomskneft, which holds 20 oil production licenses in the region, at a May 3 auction for Yukos assets, which also included two refineries, for 176 billion rubles ($6.8 billion).
