Russia's migration service Monday reaffirmed that it cannot grant a visa to Robert Dudley, the chief executive of Anglo-Russian oil joint venture TNK-BP (TNBP.RS), as long as he doesn't provide a valid work contract.
Friday, U.K oil major BP PLC (BP), which holds a 50% stake in TNK-BP, sent a legal opinion to the migration service stating that Dudley's employment contract is in fact valid
"We're not interested in any legal opinion. We want to see a valid work contract and only then we can give him a new visa. If they wish, they can present their legal opinion to a court," a representative of Russia's Federal Migration Service said.
The conflict comes amid a shareholder dispute between TNK-BP's owners, BP and a group of Russian business tycoons, over control of the company. The Russian shareholders, who control the other 50% of TNK-BP, have repeatedly called for the removal of BP-appointed Dudley.