Russia may lose $150m annually from EU enlargement

The maximum volume of Russia's losses from the accession of 10 new countries to the European Union will be $150m per year, acting Russian economy minister German Gref told journalists today. However, he pointed out that a positive dialogue between Russia and the EU might bring possible losses to zero.

Gref also noted that reports about the so-called "trade war" between Russia and the EU were "overly exaggerated". Russia is currently at the stage of settling disputable issues with the EU, the acting minister stressed.

The next round of Russia-EU talks is scheduled for the end of this month.