RIGA (AFX) - The Latvian government has extended until April 1 a deadline for making a decision regarding state-held shares in Latvia's telecommunications companies Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) and Lattelecom, BNS news agency reported.
The Economics Ministry was expected to submit its proposals by February 1, but the ministry asked to extend the deadline until April 1, BNS said.
The Latvian state together with TeliaSonera own the two largest telecommunications companies in Latvia -- Lattelecom and LMT. Last summer TeliaSonera made an offer to buy from the state 51 pct in Lattelecom and 28 pct in LMT, BNS said.
Latvian Economics Minister Jurijs Strods told BNS earlier that negotiations are still underway with TeliaSonera, for the planned selloff. "Frankly speaking, none of the ideas I have seen or generated myself so far seems attractive to me," the minister admitted.
At present TeliaSonera holds 49 pct in Lattelecom and 49 pct in LMT. Lattelecom owns 23 pct in LMT. The Latvian state or state-owned companies control 51 pct in both Lattelecom and LMT.
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