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Come to the Table: German Vice-Chancellor Joins Calls for End to Sanctions
German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel attended the Russia Day trade fair in Rostock on Wednesday, where he called for better relations with Russia, German broadcaster ZDF reported.
German
Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs Sigmar Gabriel has
joined a growing chorus of voices calling for better relations
with Russia, including the beginning of an end to sanctions, German
television broadcaster ZDF reported on Wednesday.
The
Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Erwin Sellering, also
said he is keen for an end to sanctions and Russian counter-sanctions,
which have badly affected German producers; Germany exported 21.8
billion euros ($24.3 billion) of goods to Russia in 2015, 40 percent
less than during 2013.
"When sanctions are lifted Russia and Germany will get additional investment, the trade between the countries will increase. Of course, a lot depends on other factors, like the price of oil and gas, but in general there will be a positive effect," Manturov said.
"Sanctions still inhibit economic relations
between Germany and Russia. But at Russia Day in Rostock, it is clear
that an end to the restrictions is longed for by both sides, at least
gradually," ZDF reported.
Gabriel was speaking at the second Russia Day, a trade fair attended
by 600 representatives of German and Russian companies held in the North
German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on Wednesday.
"We all know, from experience, that in the long
run isolation doesn't produce anything. In the end, only dialogue can
help," the minister said, and criticized the EU's insistence on linking
sanctions to full implementation of the Minsk agreements, ZDF reported.
"We are waiting impatiently for the sanctions to be lifted so that we can reestablish our previous economic exchange," Sellering said.
Russian Industry Minister Denis Manturov was also a guest at the
trade fair, and agreed that lifting sanctions would bring benefits
for both sides."When sanctions are lifted Russia and Germany will get additional investment, the trade between the countries will increase. Of course, a lot depends on other factors, like the price of oil and gas, but in general there will be a positive effect," Manturov said.