26 September, 1997. - Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov visited the headquarters of LUKOIL oil company on September 25th where he was told about the company operations and its plans of expansion in Moscow. LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov told him the company is interested in active operations in the Moscow market.

"We are presently working to form a network of filling stations in Moscow. We have developed a solid infrastructure to perform the day-to-day management of all our subsidiaries, including those abroad. Our objective in Moscow is not immediate gain but long-term work, including cooperation with the Central Fuel Company, because Moscow gets 30% of the oil from LUKOIL extracting units," Alekperov said.

Luzhkov in turn voiced support for the LUKOIL program of building a network of 50 filling stations in the city. "I am satisfied with the standard of services, besides, the monopoly possibility of imposing one's terms will disappear," he said and promised to cancel a Moscow government decision to assign plots of land for gasoline stations to the Central Fuel Company only.

The sides also reached understanding on the need to energetically struggle against production and sale of fake motor oils. Among other things they discussed the idea of creating a large wholesale market of motor oils supplied by.

The Moscow Mayor and the LUKOIL President also agreed to study the possibilities of the company's involvement in chemical and petrochemical production projects.

Before leaving the LUKOIL office Luzhkov made a note in a book for guests of honor wishing success to the cooperation between the company and the Russian capital and voicing hope that their friendship would last forever.

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