OREANDA-NEWS. March 24, 2011. Andrey Melnichenko and Sergey Popov have agreed to change their ownership stakes in OJSC SUEK. 

STI, a company representing interests of Sergey Popov, concluded a private agreement with Linea, a company representing interests of Andrey Melnichenko. In accordance with this agreement, it is envisaged that STI's stake in the capital of SUEK will be reduced to a level below the blocking stake.

In connection with this deal Sergey Popov said: "In the course of the past ten years I have been happy to take part in the creation and the development of SUEK. I am pleased with the achieved results: the company has a strong management team, highly qualified investors and clear plans for development. Going forward I am intending to focus my efforts on the strategic development of MDM Bank.

Andrey has demonstrated huge success in construction of world-class industrial companies and, therefore. I will remain a long-term investor in SUEK being absolutely confident that its business will continue to be successfully developing".

Andrey Melnichenko also said: "I fully understand the decision of Sergey Popov to concentrate on the development of the MDM's business.

SUEK has become such a strong company as it is today to a large extent thanks to Sergey's strategic vision. We are grateful to him for his contribution and I am very glad that he will remain an investor supporting the company".