French businesses seek bigger presence on Russian market - Russian ambassador
MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax) - French companies present on the Russian market intend to continue their operations in the country despite the complicated political situation, Moscow's Ambassador to Paris Alexander Orlov told Interfax.
"As for French enterprises operating in Russia, all of them intend to stay and further promote their activities in Russia because we are speaking about long-term projects in which a considerable amount of funds has already been invested. French investments in Russia are approaching $10 billion," he said.
"I believe that businesses are among the most active supporters of steps aimed at resolving the current crisis and lifting the sanctions as soon as possible," Orlov said.
The measures adopted by Russia in response to the EU's sanctions have also delivered a blow to the French economy, the ambassador said.
"Russia's response measures have also caused certain damage to the French agricultural sector, where people have lost their jobs - up to 10,000 jobs were cut after Russia cancelled its orders," he said.
"Both sides are suffering in this situation and both sides are eager to break this sanctions deadlock as soon as possible," Orlov said.