Duma may consider energy bills on December 24-25

The State Duma may consider a set of bills on reforming the energy sector on the second reading on December 24-25, 2002, Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister Andrey Sharonov announced at a conference today. The conference was devoted to the tenth anniversary of RAO UES of Russia. The Duma Council is to make a final decision on the date to consider the bills on December 23.

Sharonov noted that the postponement of the second reading for an indefinite time was initiated by the Communist and Yabloko factions. The Union of Right Forces factions suggested that the second reading should be held according to the schedule, on December 18, while centrist factions asked to postpone the consideration because that they had received amendments to the bills later than expected.