A joint statement on the inadmissibility of the nationalisation of the Ekho Moskvi radio station was adopted at a meeting of the Joint Political Council of the Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) and Yabloko on Thursday July 12, 2001.

The co-chairpersons of the political council and deputy speakers of the State Duma Irina Khakamada (SPS) and Vladimir Lukin (Yabloko) told the press that the statement indicated that 9.5% of the shares of Ekho Moskvi currently owned by the Gazprom-Media should be converted into the property of the radio station.

This will enable the Ekho Moskvi radio station to remain completely independent from the state and "continue its normal work", stressed Irina Khakamada and Vladimir Lukin.

Based on Interfax reports.