French business wants to remain in Russia, despite a policy of mutual punishment the EU and Russia, said the head of the delegation of French parliamentarians who on Thursday visit to the Crimea, co-chair of the Association Franco-Russian dialogue " Thierry Mariani.

first it was claimed that the group of deputies of the Parliament of France will visit this week to the Russian Federation. In the program of the trip - a visit to the Russian capital, where French deputies will meet with state Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin. Then the delegation will go to the Crimea, where he will visit Yalta, Simferopol and Sevastopol, will hold a series of meetings with the local leadership. In its composition, except Mariani, includes nine other parliamentarians, including Senator Yves Pozzo di Borgo, the MP, the Mayor of the XVI district of Paris Claude Goasguen as well as different regions of France.

Mariani in conversation with the Agency recalled that France and Russia very close economic ties.

"France is the third largest foreign investments in the Russian Federation. There exists quite a lot of organizations and since the introduction of penalties none of them have left Russia. This means that most organizations want to stay here, believe in the future ", - noted French Deputy.

He admitted that the punishment of the EU towards Russia seriously complicated business, but the preservation of the ties in the interests of both parties.

"I think relations of the Russian and French organizations have great potential," said Mariani.

Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in connection with the situation in Ukraine. At the end of July, the EU and the US from point penalties against private individuals and organizations have moved to the measures against entire sectors of Russia's economy. In response, Russia restricted imports of food items from countries that have entered against her punishment: USA, EU, Canada, Australia and Norway.

sections: Politics