Russia negotiating several foreign companies' return, but preferences will remain with Russian companies - Putin

MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - Russian authorities have started closed-door talks on the possible return of a number of Western companies to the country's domestic market, and they will be allowed to return on the condition that those niches already occupied by Russian companies will remain for them, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Of course, the return of some of our Western partners to our market may have a favorable effect on the activities of both their companies and our companies. Today, we are already negotiating behind closed doors, but we are holding talks at the initiative of some of our partners about their possible return to our market. Everything is calm, dignified, with respect for each other and with honoring mutual interests," he said at a press conference after talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin said that he had previously tasked the government with elaborating the provision of preferences for domestic companies when foreign investors return to the Russian market.

"We did not isolate ourselves from anyone and did not drive anyone away. Those who want to return, we say welcome, welcome any second. But we will certainly proceed from the situation that has emerged to date: if the niches are occupied, then, subsequently they are occupied, we will not create any preferences for anyone to return to our market. Moreover, the government already has this instruction, in line with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, but still to provide certain advantages to our domestic producers," Putin said.

"We will certainly pursue all our programs involving [efforts] to bolster our technological sovereignty," Putin said.