UNICE Chairman: Russia and the EU must conclude a full package free trade deal
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Translated by Anoosha Boralessa (Jan 2016). Not reviewed by bilaterals.org or any other organization or person.
UNICE Chairman: Russia and the EU must conclude a full package free trade deal
Russia and the EU must conclude a full package free trade deal (UNICE Chairman)
13/ 07/ 2006
BRUSSELS, 13 July - RIA Novosti. The UNICE (Union of Manufacturers in the European Community) Chairman, Ernest-Antoine Seillière, has encouraged Russia and the European Union (the EU) to conclude a full package free trade agreement to reach close, reciprocal economic integration.
"It is time for businesses to put pressure on our governments so that they take decisive steps based on close economic integration. According to UNICE, concluding a full package free trade agreement between the European Union and Russia would constitute such a step."
So highlighted the declaration of Ernest-Antoine Seillière, published on Thursday in Brussels by UNICE’s press service.
According to the UNICE Chairman, negotiations on the conclusion of an appropriate agreement could start as soon as the Russian Federation becomes a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which UNICE unreservedly supports.
The declaration of the UNICE Chairman points out:
“Such an agreement with Russia must be similar to an agreement on the establishment of a free trade area (EEA - European Economic Area) which links the EU to its key partners such as Norway.”
Ernest-Antoine Seillière considers that once it is concluded, such an agreement will replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Russian Federation and the European Union which expires in October 2007 and will not fail to relaunch trade and investment, necessary for “the strategic EU – Russian partnership to become a reality”.
Furthermore, he indicated, that will allow Russia and the EU to increase their competitivity vis-à-vis China and India which do not cease to strengthen their position on the global market.
Moreover, Mr Seillière is persuaded that "closer and deeper ties” with the European Union will strengthen the flow of foreign direct investment to the Russian economy. The volume of such investment today does not exceed 17 billion euro per year.
As the UNICE Chairman has pointed out, the trade turnover between the EU and Russia has now increased to around 150 billion euro, and 50% of Russian exports consist of hydrocarbons.
"Russia cannot rely indefinitely on exporting hydrocarbons alone. It must develop its industry capacities and infrastructure for its services and at the same time increase its industrial exports and services to Europe”, insists the UNICE Chairman.
To date, UNICE brings together 39 associations of manufacturers and employers in 33 European countries, that is approximately 20 million big, medium and small businesses.
