27 Aug 2015 11:58

Russia ready to discuss cooperation projects with EU - diplomat

MOSCOW. Aug 27 (Interfax) - Cooperation between Russia and the European Union has been put on freeze in a number of areas yet Moscow is prepared for a constructive debate on ways to resume collaboration 'on principles of equality', Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry European Cooperation Department Ivan Soltanovsky told Interfax in an interview.

"Russia is ready for a constructive discussion of sober ideas and projects but without any preconditions. Unless these proposals are based on principles of equality Russia will definitely reject them," he said.

"Alas, there is a profound stagnation in Russia-EU relations," the diplomat said.

According to Soltanovsky, the trade turnover between Russia and the European Union dipped 37.3% in the first half of 2015 and the negative trends escalated.

He said Russian exports to EU countries reduced by 33.9%, Russian imports from the EU decreased by 45%, and the EU share in Russia's overall trade turnover fell to 46%.

"These are regretful trends," the diplomat said.