Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 1304 - 1052: Talking Through the Night

Chapter 1304: Chapter 1052: Talking Through the Night

"This is already the biggest concession we can make, Ms. Hannah.

If you’re still unsatisfied, then I suggest we cancel the North Stream Pipeline project, and you can discuss natural gas supply with other countries.

Perhaps some country will be able to offer you a stable, low-cost, and continuous supply of natural gas."

Wang Ye spread his hands, smiling as he spoke.

His gaze was resolute, showing no intention of compromising.

Hannah stared intently at Wang Ye’s face, as if trying to discern some clue, but to her disappointment, Wang Ye remained unperturbed.

After a long while, she slowly nodded her head, "We will cover 60 percent of the pipeline construction costs... This proposal is somewhat acceptable, but I request the establishment of a specialized joint venture pipeline management company. After its completion, the pipeline will be managed by this joint venture, and the ownership will also belong to the joint venture."

Wang Ye was a bit surprised and, after a brief moment of thought, he asked, "Do you mean that the pipeline construction costs paid by your side won’t be deducted from the later natural gas fees? Instead, they’ll be converted into shares in the joint venture?"

Hannah nodded, indicating that Wang Ye understood correctly.

At this, Wang Ye’s eyebrows furrowed.

Unexpectedly, Hannah was quite cunning and had effortlessly turned the tables on him!

Because according to Hannah’s statement, if both parties established a joint venture company with their shareholding reflecting their contributions, it was obvious that since Germany contributed the larger share, they would hold 60 percent of the stock and become the major shareholder of the joint venture!

Although this pipeline management company wouldn’t play a significant role—merely collecting pipeline usage fees annually—the original plan entailed the State-Owned Pipeline Company investing in and managing it, and the fees collected would be from the Russian Gas Industry Group. Both were state-owned enterprises, essentially transferring funds from one hand to the other, keeping the profits within their own circle.

But now, if a joint venture company was formed with German capital holding the majority, that would complicate matters...

After some thought, Wang Ye decisively responded, "Then let’s proceed this way, your country still provides 60 percent of the funding, and we provide 40 percent. However, in the joint venture management company that will be established, our side will hold 51% of the shares, and your side 49%."

No matter what, control had to remain in their own hands; otherwise, even Wang Ye would have trouble explaining upon his return...

Hannah frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the proposal Wang Ye had put forward.

Before she could negotiate further, Wang Ye continued, "This is the biggest concession I can make. I believe this is the plan that best serves the interests of both parties. If your side continues to bargain..."

What would happen next, Wang Ye did not explicitly say, trusting that Hannah would understand.

He wasn’t being mysterious, and he really had shown sincerity, otherwise, Wang Ye wouldn’t have offered a 51-49 split in shareholding, but a straightforward 60-40, obviously with Russia holding 60 percent!

Mainly, Wang Ye felt there was no need to fuss over these minor details. Reaching cooperation was the most important thing, as long as the general direction was correct.

Of course, this was also because he personally negotiated with sufficient authority to assess the pros and cons onsite and make his own decisions. Had it been someone else, they might not have dared to act as he did.

Hannah clearly understood Wang Ye’s stance, so she was silent for a good while before she said to Wang Ye, "I’m sorry, but I need to discuss with other members and seek guidance from back home before I can provide an answer."

Obviously, Hannah’s authority was not as extensive as Wang Ye’s. At this critical moment, she couldn’t make decisions independently and had to discuss with other members of the delegation, and after reaching a consensus, they would seek guidance from their country.

Wang Ye nodded, and Hannah stood up with the German delegation to go to the adjacent small meeting room to discuss.

Regarding the Russian delegation, there was no need to discuss collectively as Wang Ye could make decisions independently!

Now, imagine this was a negotiation "halftime break"...

After about half an hour, Hannah, leading the members of the German delegation, re-entered the meeting room, presumably with a resolution.

Once everyone was seated again, Hannah looked at Wang Ye, a smile emerging on her usually stern face.

"Director Mikhail, the new cooperation proposal you presented has been unanimously approved by our side.

Thus, the North Stream Pipeline construction project can be confirmed.

I wish... a pleasant cooperation!"

Wang Ye also responded with a smile, "A pleasant cooperation!"

The two stood and shook hands, as applause filled the Meeting Room once again...

...

Having finalized the cooperation with Germany, the obstacles from the European Union were swept away.

Wang Ye, seizing the opportunity, met with the European Union’s Business Representative that very afternoon to continue discussions, and, as he expected, once the German side was settled, the EU no longer presented any complications and swiftly signed the official bilateral agreement, accepting Russia’s application to join the WTO.

Thus, the nearly twenty-year-long process for Russia to join the WTO was finally consolidated smoothly by Wang Ye.

All major member countries of the WTO had signed bilateral agreements with Russia, recognizing its membership, meaning that at tomorrow’s official WTO meeting, Russia’s formal accession to the WTO would be officially announced!