KIEV, Feb. 26 – Smart-holding says it is withdrawing from talks on the purchase of the largest steel mill in Bulgaria, Kremikovtzi, due to their going on too long, and the fact that creditors are to pay off the company's debt.

"Taking into account that talks on the selection of a strategic investor for the Kremikovtzi steel mill have been postponed for an uncertain period of time, and the fact that creditors prefer to pay the mill's debt to restore its capacity for work, Smart-holding had to decide to withdraw from talks," the company said.