KIEV, Jan. 14 - The Nikopol Ferroalloy Works (NFW) must be returned to state ownership, in line with court rulings, as the date for an NFW shareholders vote, which could greatly reduce the chances of this happening, draws closer, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said.

"Court verdicts must be executed regardless of political events in Ukraine today," Tymoshenko told the press on Saturday.