 RUSSIA IN FACTS |
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German food minister upbeat about impact of EU expansion on Russia
BERLIN. Jan 17 (Interfax) - German Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture Renate Kuenast positively
assessed the impact of the upcoming EU expansion on Russia.
Global commerce is impossible without developing countries and the new members' accession will bring Russia
considerably closer to the European Union, Kuenast said at a conference during the ongoing Green Week fair in
Germany.
European Commission member Franz Fischler said the EU expansion will have positive results for Russia and improve
trade. After May 1, the number of EU consumers will grow to 450 million people and Russia's products can be sold to
them, Fischler said.
Russian Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev said "we closely follow the process of the EU expansion and
especially its impact on Russia." Russia conducted consultations with Slovenia, Hungary, Cyprus and Estonia,
Gordeyev said.
"Our apprehensions were confirmed with regard to negative changes involving economic, legal, social and other
spheres triggered by the accession of ten new members to the European Union," he said. When the EU protection
mechanisms and support for the agricultural sector are implemented in the new member-countries, their markets will be
closed for Russian exporters. "It is a step back from the point of view of trade liberalization," he said.
Gordeyev voiced particular concern about the growing support for the agricultural sector, which will total 4.7
billion euros in 2004- 2006. Since "this is an astronomical figure for the Russian agricultural sector," it
will place Russian produces in the conditions of unfair competition, he said.
However, Russia welcomes Europe's unified agricultural policy aimed at ensuring environmental protection and
food safety, he said. [RU DE TRD EUROPE ASIA EEU EMRG POL] sa <>
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