The head of the government of the Russian Federation Medvedev D. A. on the first day of the week in Sochi to discuss with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel cooperation between Russia and the EU, informs the press service of the Russian government.

"during negotiations the head of the government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel to discuss the issues of bilateral cooperation in trade-economic, investment spheres, in the sphere of high technologies, logistics and infrastructure, as well as some issues of interaction between Russia and the EU given the presidency of Luxembourg in the Council of the European Union ", - stated in the message.

The Prime Minister of Luxembourg Bettel will be in Russia on a working visit at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.


before the Prime Minister presiding in the European Union Luxembourg Xavier Bettel told reporters he intends to discuss with Russian authorities the whole range of problems concerning the situation in Ukraine and in the Syrian Arab Republic, the problem of emigration and the fight against crime

"I have informed the Secretary-General (NATO, Jens Stoltenberg - ed) about the fact that in the coming weeks I will go to the capital of Russia to meet with President (Vladimir) Putin and Prime Minister (Dmitry) Medvedev, and will also visit Ukraine," said Bettel.

He said that during the visit, wished to hear the positions of different parties.

"The situation in Ukraine will be one of the main problems, but not the only one. I will speak about immigration, and the problems in the Syrian Arab Republic, the battle against crime. We must bear in mind that to resolve part of the crisis, and we saw that , for example, on other international issues in recent months, Russia also necessary ", - said the Prime Minister


The Prime Minister of Luxembourg before also expressed their opinion in respect of penalties relative to Russia and the implementation of the Minsk agreements. In his vision, in the event of failure of the Minsk agreements world the Commonwealth has a chance to get on the South-Eastern Ukraine a " frozen conflict.

"the head of the countries (Ukraine and Russia - ed.) are obliged not to violate what was signed. Both sides have made mistakes. I have no desire to put the blame on only one side, "said Bettel in an interview Brussels Internet resource EUractiv, saying that if the Minsk agreement are not met," we will have a frozen conflict " for years to come.

According to Bettel, "it is important to move forward" in the peace settlement of the conflict, " because now we all lose."" Europe loses, Ukraine loses, Russia loses. We need an exit strategy (from the conflict - ed.) to discover solutions that are acceptable to everyone ", - He said pointing.

The Prime Minister of Luxembourg believes that the policy of EU sanctions against Russia and retaliatory measures from Russia disadvantageous to both parties." At the moment the scheme is this: the punishment response, the punishment response. It is harmful to all in Russia and Europe ", - noted the Bettel.

in April 2014, the EU and the US imposed penalties against certain individuals, organizations and entire sectors of the Russian economy. In response, Russia restricted imports of food items from States that have entered against her punishment. In June 2015, in response to the extension of the sanctions Russia has extended food embargo until 5 August 2016.

By the way, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg has Russian roots: his mother Angela is the grandniece of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff

sections: Politics