MOSCOW. July 19 (Interfax) - Calls on Russia to liberalize its energy sector are excessive, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

file photo"In our view, today the requirements for Russia are excessive, including in the sphere of total liberalization of our energy sector," Putin said at a business breakfast in honor of King Juan Carlos I of Spain, which was shown on the Vesti-24 television channel.

The demands are excessive because the level of foreign presence in the Russian energy sector is currently over 25%, Putin said

"I know few countries which can produce such indicators, and in some countries - the main suppliers of energy resources to world markets - the energy sector is normally completely monopolized by state or quasi-state structures," the president said.

In Russia, this sector is largely liberalized.

At the meeting the president congratulated Spain and the king personally on the convincing victory at the European football championship.

"We all enjoyed your team's play and are wishing it success. You know that Russia has the honor to host the world football championship in 2018 and we hope that our fans will have an opportunity to see the Spain team play," Putin said.

Keywords:Russia, Energy - Russian News - Russia - Johnson's Russia List

MOSCOW. July 19 (Interfax) - Calls on Russia to liberalize its energy sector are excessive, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

file photo"In our view, today the requirements for Russia are excessive, including in the sphere of total liberalization of our energy sector," Putin said at a business breakfast in honor of King Juan Carlos I of Spain, which was shown on the Vesti-24 television channel.

The demands are excessive because the level of foreign presence in the Russian energy sector is currently over 25%, Putin said

"I know few countries which can produce such indicators, and in some countries - the main suppliers of energy resources to world markets - the energy sector is normally completely monopolized by state or quasi-state structures," the president said.

In Russia, this sector is largely liberalized.

At the meeting the president congratulated Spain and the king personally on the convincing victory at the European football championship.

"We all enjoyed your team's play and are wishing it success. You know that Russia has the honor to host the world football championship in 2018 and we hope that our fans will have an opportunity to see the Spain team play," Putin said.