Russia-EU Technology Centre Opens in Moscow

Russia and the EU yesterday opened a Technology Centre in Moscow. According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko, the centre's aim is 'to facilitate an exchange of opinions and information between Russian and European companies.' He added that this would help to attract investment needed to carry out important projects. The centre will also coordinate joint research and the exchange of know-how, as well as running seminars.

The creation of the centre is 'the first concrete result of the energy dialogue, and an important achievement in terms of bilateral technological cooperation.' Khristenko said that the centre will become 'a platform for industrial collaboration between Russia and the EU' in such fields as oil and gas, coal, electricity, renewable energy resources, and energy efficiency.

The press conference ended with an unexpected incident. A young woman belonging to the National Bolshevik Party hurled a cake at Francois Lamoureux, the European Commission's Director General for Transport and Energy. 'Tell the EU that Kaliningrad is a Russian town,' she said, before leaving the press conference.