The draft laws on energy sector reforms require serious revision, as form they are absolutely unacceptable in their current form, and their adoption would lead to economic, political and social hardships," Deputy Head of the YABLOKO faction in the State Duma Igor Artemyev told journalists on Tuesday, December 17, 2002.

Deputy Artemyev also expressed his satisfaction with the decision of the Duma Council to adjourn examination of the government's package of draft laws for energy sector reforms. Artemyev also informed journalists that he had proposed at the meeting of the Duma Council to return draft laws to the first reading and resume the work of the tripartite commission (Duma - Federation Council - Government) to work out a coordinated variant.

The government's package of draft laws for energy sector reforms was adopted by the State Duma in the first reading on October 9, 2002. The YABLOKO faction in the State Duma unanimously voted against the government's concept [of the reform].

A group of YABLOKO's experts headed by Igor Artemyev developed alternative proposals for reform in the sector. Artemyev also represented the position of the YABLOKO faction in the tripartite conciliatory commission that had been working over the draft before the first reading in the Duma.

See also:

Energy Sector Reforms