The EU cannot return to the cold war with Russia

The Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi denies the possibility of a return to cold war relations between the EU and Russia.

"On the one hand, it is clear that Russia must respect Ukraine, and among them its territorial integrity. On the reverse side, Europe cannot return to the opposition, similar to what it was during the cold war in relations with its major neighbor, " said the first day of the week, the Italian Prime Minister, speaking before the country's business circles on the Milan stock exchange.

At the same time, Renzi acknowledged that the sanctions policy of the EU on Russia have caused some harm to the economy of Italy, but tried to convince not to exaggerate its size."With Russia we have a turnover in the amount of presumably 25 billion $ 16 billion we buy, sell 9 billion. Punishment has not touched upon the most significant portion of our turnover, have put in a difficult position of certain industrial districts, for example, associated with the production of shoes, touched upon a number of existing agreements. But this is only a small part in relation to our export opportunities. The story is supposedly about 160 million out of 9 billion of our exports, " said the Prime Minister.

Renzi drew attention that the EU in its own relations With Russia shouldn't be worrying so much about the present day problems, as well as among them about sanctions, about how to formulate strategy on medium and long term. According to his statement, Italy could play a "strategic role" of the bridge, which in the last few years several have been underestimated.

"Whatever punishment the main point of our discussions is bound to be a question about what kind of Europe we wish to build, as we have plans to build our relationship With Russia in the strategic plan, for example, on the issue of terrorism, and how are we going to deal with a severe economic crisis in these countries that are associated with Russia, as Ukraine," said Renzi.

Western countries since March 2014 several times already imposed penalties because Russia's position on Ukraine. The last case of the use of such practices were the limits imposed in March 2015, when expanded sanctions list of the USA.

sections: Economics