MOSCOW, July 21 (UPI) -- The chief of British-Russian firm TNK-BP needs a visa to stay in Moscow, despite a 10-day extension of his Russian work permit, officials said Monday.
Russian officials granted Robert Dudley, the chief executive of TNK-BP, a work permit to stay on at his position through July 2009, RIA Novosti reported. His visa, however, was not yet renewed, putting his tenure in Moscow in jeopardy.
The Russian shareholders in the joint venture accuse Dudley of pursuing only the interests of BP and of actively discouraging expansion into European markets. BP and other energy observers see the dispute as an attempt by the Kremlin to insert Russian energy giant Gazprom into the consortium, a claim Moscow denies.
Russian migration service spokesman Konstantin Poltoranin said Monday the visa extension did not mean Dudley has the necessary documents to remain working in the country, adding the issue was in the chief executive's hands.
Dudley needs to prove he has a working contract with TNK-BP before he can get his visa renewed, the report said. His temporary transit visa expires July 29.
