Italy summoned the Russian ambassador on Saturday after Moscow announced that it was placing the Italian heating system subsidiary Ariston Thermo Group under the “temporary management” of state energy giant Gazprom.
“The government demands explanations on the nationalization of Ariston Thermo Group,” announced Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
He stated that he had asked the highest official of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Russian ambassador.
Tajani said that he had spoken with “Ariston” managers, adding that Rome “supports companies and is ready to protect them in all international markets”.
The takeover of the Ariston subsidiary was announced in a Russian decree published on Friday and signed by Vladimir Putin, although it was dated Thursday.
With that, 100% of Ariston’s Russian companies – Ariston Thermo Rus, owned by Ariston Holding NV, and BSH Household Appliances, owned by BSH Hausgerate GmbH – will be transferred to Gazprom’s subsidiary Gazprom Household Systems”.
Tags: Italian government demands explanations Russia nationalization company
