MOSCOW, June 15 (Prince Latina) The Russian representative to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, today warned that the space for dialogue between his country and the European Union is practically closed, in statements on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The diplomat reported to Russia 24 TV channel that in 2016, then-President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, attended the event, held long talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and intervened in the plenary session.
This was after 2014, when we had a semi-annual summit and all kinds of sectoral dialogues frozen, however, there was room for dialogue. He stressed that it is now practically closed.
Chizov explained that, nevertheless, members of the Russian diplomatic mission continue to maintain intermittent contacts with representatives of the European Union, although “apparently they are afraid to maintain a dialogue with us.”
Moscow’s permanent representative in Brussels emphasized that despite the sanctions imposed on this nation, European countries are still Russia’s largest partners in trade and economy.
“One way or another,” he said, “we will have to deal with the ancient world for a long time, I think, even with Europe.”
He stressed that despite the six sanctions packages, “Europe, as strange as it may seem, remains under the current conditions our largest trading and economic partner” for the country.
vm / mml
