MOSCOW, April 23 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Britain's BP chairman Lord Browne that the oil company's $6.9 billion investment in the country is safe.
Putin, appearing with Browne at the Kremlin, sought to quell concerns about the BP-Russian joint venture's $805 million tax bill, the Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.
The president said proposed restrictions on foreign investment would not shut BP out of key oil and gas fields in Siberia and the Arctic.
"We made no mistake when we supported the decision (by BP to invest) that was taken two years ago," Putin told Browne.
"Let me express my hope that your business will continue to develop in the same manner. What is especially pleasing is the approach of your company, which tends to call itself a good corporate citizen of the Russian Federation."
