EU enlargement might cause problems for Russia

The enlargement of the European Union might complicate economic relations between Russia and candidates to the EU, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko declared at a round table meeting of Russian and EU industrialists.

He noted that the geopolitical situation in Europe would change with this enlargement. About 35 percent of Russian exports are delivered to the EU and they will grow to more than 50 percent after 10 new states join the EU. So the EU will have a "controlling stake" in Russia's foreign trade, he specified. The broadening of the EU might complicate conditions for Russian exports of energy sources, metals, chemical fertilizers and nuclear products, the deputy PM added.

He stressed that Russia's joining the agreement on partnership and cooperation with the EU did not solve the possible problems concerning the EU's enlargement. He also criticized the anti-dumping practices of the EU.

Khristenko also pointed to the transfer of candidate states to the EU single standards and certificates. According to him, a candidate state will have to certify products imported from Russia in accordance with EU standards. In this respect, some difficulties with Russian electric energy, nuclear and automobile exports have already emerged, Khristenko said. He pointed out that it was necessary to create joint certification centers in Russia and the EU.