Report: PM: Russia-EU united economic space still on agenda

MOSCOW, Jul 24 (PRIME) -- The idea to establish a united economic space between Russia and the E.U. is still there despite deterioration of relations between Moscow and Western countries, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told RTV Slovenija in an interview broadcast Friday.

“Of course, this is possible. Although the situation in relations between Russia and Europe and some other countries is not the simplest, I will talk only about the Russian-European partnership, the E.U. is still our largest partner. Not East Asian countries or the Asia-Pacific, but the E.U.,” the prime minister said.

“This means that we need each other. Europe needs the Russian market, Russia needs partnership with Europe, this is why the idea of a united economic space has not gone anywhere. It is absolutely sensible in the economic aspect.”

The E.U. and Russia are mutually dependent in the energy sector, Medvedev said. He called on the E.U. to prioritize consumer interests while trying to diversify gas supply sources. Russia guarantees energy safety to Europe while changing its pipeline construction plans.

The Russian gas supplies to China do not devalue the partnership with Europe, he said. China is just “another vector of partnership,” Medvedev said.

Russia and China are equal in their relations, and there is no danger that Russia will fall under the Chinese influence. Apart from large markets which the two countries have, Moscow and Beijing have similar opinions regarding many international issues, so it is time to “activate this partnership”, Medvedev said.

Medvedev also said that sanctions are “a senseless path”. He said that prolongation of food imports ban from the E.U. is not meant to hurt the E.U., the Russian steps are purely pragmatic.

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