OREANDA-NEWS. March 05, 2010. Andrey Tsyganov, Deputy Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia), held a meeting with the Belgium ambassador in the Russian Federation and representatives of "Solvay S.A.", Belgium, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

At the meeting were also present Heads of some FAS Russia's structural units: Teimuraz Kharitonashvili, the Head of the Department for Control over Chemical Industry and Agro-Industry, and Lesya Davydova, the Head of the Department for International Economic Co-operation.

Earlier "Solvay Participation France S.A.S" (a 100% subsidiary of "Solvay S.A.") petitioned for acquiring the rights that would allow it to determine conditions of entrepreneurial activity of "Bereznikovsky Soda Works" OJSC and "Berchimprom" CJSC. In accordance with the procedures established by the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition", FAS Russia extended the period for considering the petition until 16th March 2010 in order to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the transaction upon the level of competition in the relevant market of the Russian Federation.

Mr Guy Truveroy, the Belgium Ambassador in Russia, informed the FAS Russia's representatives that "Solvay S.A." is the largest producer of sodium carbonate in Western Europe and is a significant investor in the Russian Federation.

Representatives of "Solvay S.A." answered additional question from FAS Russia in order to explain the situation with the transaction.

Andrey Tsyganov stated that FAS Russia would make a decision regarding the petition within the scope of its reference and on schedule established by the Russian antimonopoly law.