If Russia opens its borders to Greek products, approval from the European Commission is required before trade can get started, an EU representative told Russian media on a visit to the country with a delegation. The Russian inspections at companies in Greece, Hungary, Cyprus and India will continue. Although Russians have less money to spend, their patriotism is on the rise. A majority believes the country should plot its own course. Trade in Russia decreased by 30%. China and Russia invest 200 million dollars in their own 'Silicon Valley', and German machine builder Grimme will possibly turn on the planters to plant an additional 5,000 hectares in Kaluga.
Greek export Russia not resumed without approval Brussels
After all the reports on the Russian borders possibly opening up to Greek products, and the loopholes Russia and Greece seem to have found with their joint venture constructions, the European Commission is making itself heard. Russian media report that the export can only be resumed with approval from Brussels. "The EU is well aware of the trade relations, and such steps can only be taken based on shared solutions," an EU representative said during his visit to Russia.
Russia visits Greece, Cyprus and Hungary
The Russian authorities are visiting companies in Greece, Hungary, Cyprus and India in the near future. In Greece and Hungary, twenty companies are to be visited, five in India, and seven or eight in Cyprus, Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports. The inspections had been announced before, and according to the reports, this is a step towards resuming trade with Russia. Greece is plotting a pro-Russian course within Europe since the latest elections, without compromising EU unity.
Russians have less to spend…
Due to the economic crisis in Russia, the budget spent on food and other basic products has gone down by a quarter. A study shows that 44% of Russians says they've been spending 24% less on basic products since December. The real wages in Russia have gone down by 9.3% between March 2014 and March 2015, Rosstat figures show. The general inflation increased to 17%, and food prices went up by 24.7% compared to March 2014. The average Russian made 640 dollars a month in March.
…but are more optimistic than ever
Despite the economic difficulties, the Russian think more positively about their country. Since 2010, the Public Opinion Research Center has been gathering data about the mood among the population. When asked to give an opinion on a scale from 'everything is bad' to 'everything is excellent', Russia scored 70 points in March. In 2010 and 2011, that was still 22 points. Russians are even more optimistic about their own life. These scores can be explained, at least in part, by the tension with the West, the isolated situation Russia finds itself in, and the crisis in Ukraine. This feeds patriotism. In addition, more than half of all Russians believe the country should plot its own course and not follow the same road as the West.
Russian trade -30%
Revenues from Russian trade with the world was down 30.1% in the first two months of 2015 compared to the start of 2014. This is caused by the decreasing oil price, the devaluation of the rouble and the tit-for-tat sanctions. The value of the international trade amounts to 83.3 billion dollars over these two months, Rosstat figures show. Trade with Europe decreased significantly in particular, -34.3%. Trade with the US decreased less strongly, by 6.7%. Trade with Japan, on the other hand, was up 16.7%.
Grimme to grow potatoes in Russia
According to Russian news service Interfax, German machine manufacturer Grimme is going to grow potatoes in the Kaluga province. This spring, 5,000 hectares of potatoes are to be planted, the governor of the region west of Moscow announced. Grimme is said to have a number of idle planters in the region, reports say these are a surplus. By getting them working, they can still make some money, governor Artamonov thinks, and the project can also be used to educate local potato farmers on how to plant potatoes.
Chinese-Russian 'Silicon Valley'
Russia and China presented an agreement on a technological partnership yesterday. The Skolkovo Foundation, owned by prime minister Medvedev, and the Chinese Cybernaut Investment Group have together made available a 200 million dollar budget for research into technical developments, robotics and space travel.
EU agrees with partnership Hungary-Russia
The European Commission agrees with the partnership between Hungary and Russia on the renovation of a nuclear plant after all. The Commission previously still had objections to the partnership, but those have been removed now.