Italian Industry Minister Claudio Scajola said Friday he will discuss the option OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) has on ex-Yukos assets held by Eni SpA (E) and Enel SpA (Enel.MI) with Russian government officials when they meet in April.
"It is an issue I will discuss with Russian counterparts at my Moscow visit," Scajola told reporters in Rome after meeting Russian industry and trade minister Viktor Khristenko.
Scajola will head a trade visit in Russia scheduled for April 5 to April 9.
Recent media reports have speculated Gazprom will exercise the option it holds to buy the majority of former Yukos assets bought by Eni and Enel in 1997. The option expires in April.