20/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the European Commission refused to comment on the exceptional auctioning off in Russia on Sunday of the Russian oil giant Yukos to an unknown Russian investment fund, Baikalfinansgroup. The auction, and the way it was organised by the Russian government, have no impact on the Cooperation and Partnership Agreement between the EU and Russia, said External Relations Commissioner's spokesperson Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The spokesperson added that transparency and lack of discrimination the management of public affairs and the application of property rules were essential in Russia to win foreign investors' trust, but she refused to comment on whether these notions, so highly valued by the EU, had actually been respected in the Yukos sale. 'No comment,' came the firm reply.