Financial Services, Latvia, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

Dombrovskis also added that currently there are no talks regarding Lattelecom and LMT privatization, and there is no reason to rush this question, writes LETA.

"The price we are offered will be of greatest importance, however, this requires favorable market situation," said Dombrovskis. He also mentioned that former Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis missed a good opportunity to sell the shares once and that there might not be a similar opportunity in the near future.

Dombrovskis also emphasized that the revenue from selling the shares would not be used to decrease budget deficit.

Economy Minister Artis Kampars (Unity) pointed out that the shares must be sold for as high a price as possible, and competition must not be affected by this process. He believes that the government does not need to be the owner of these enterprises.

Kampars did not mention the date when the shares would be sold and said that this process must not be rushed, however," we cannot bury our heads in the sand and not care".

Kampars admitted that Scandinavian concern TeliaSonera, who has both operators' shares, holds pre-emptive rights to buy both LMT and Lattelecom shares, but there may also be other solutions, and the company is ready to consider them. "There are various possibilities", said Kampars.