France interested in lifting anti-Russian sanctions once Minsk accords implemented - diplomat
MOSCOW. Nov 13 (Interfax) - Relations with the European Union and France were significantly affected by the sanctions but Paris hopes these will be lifted once the Minsk Agreements are fulfilled, says Frederic Mondoloni, Minister Counselor at the French Embassy in Moscow.
"The sanctions and the counter-sanctions have significantly affected trade between Russia and the European Union in general, but also trade between Russia and France in particular," he said at a dinner in honor of a delegation of the Movement of Enterprises of France (MEDEF) which has arrived in Russia.
The diplomat recalled that French President Francois Hollande said that the sanctions are affecting both Russia and France. "This is why the president was the first politician to have asked that Russia be relieved of the sanctions because it would only enable implementation of the Minsk Agreements," Mondoloni added.
The visit by the MEDEF delegation is an opportunity to demonstrate and consolidate bilateral relations, he said.
MEDEF is a private organization independent from the state. It is the most significant representative of the French business sector. It comprises 800,000 French enterprises of all sizes and all industries. MEDEF is the French government's recognized and essential partner in both social affairs and economic negotiations.
The delegation that has arrived in Moscow consists of top managers from companies such as Societe Generale, Alstom, Total and others.