Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has dismissed Igor Yusufov as the Kremlin envoy for international energy cooperation.
A Kremlin statement said Medvedev "supports I. Yusufov's intentions to use his years of experience in government management and international economic ties to promote and carry out significant investment projects in Russia and abroad."
Yusufov served as energy minister during current Premier Vladimir Putin's first term as president. He is also on the board of energy giant Gazprom.
It is unclear whether he will stay on as "ambassador at large" for Russia's foreign ministry, a post he was assigned in 2004.
Medvedev said last week he wanted government ministers and other state officials to give up their seats on the boards of state firms. Those to lose their seats include Putin's close ally, Igor Sechin. He is chairman of state oil firm Rosneft and in charge of regulating Russia's lucrative oil and gas industry. The move rekindled speculation of a growing rift between Medvedev and his powerful premier.