Italy has become Russia's largest trade partner in the EU

Italy became Russia's largest trade partner among the European Union (EU) countries in September this year. This was announced on December 3 by the Acting Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Italy Sergey Pirogov at a public conference dedicated to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce (IRCC) in the congress center of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Moscow.

It is specified that the trade turnover between the countries increased by 25% and amounted to €768 million.

"The main contribution was made by imports of Italian products, which grew by more than 10% to €427 million, while Russian exports increased by 17%, amounting to about €341 million," Pirogov noted.

For his part, Chamber of Commerce and Industry head Sergei Katyrin said that the chamber seeks to maintain contacts with all Western partners despite the complexities of interstate political relations.

"The regional cross-section is invariably present in the agenda of joint events on the lines of our chambers of commerce and industry," he emphasized, speaking about the IRTP's work in Russia's regions.

Katyrin added that this year representatives of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce visited several regions, including Kirov and Lipetsk regions.

IRTP President Ferdinando Pelazzo pointed out the need to continue cooperation between the chambers in order to maintain contacts between Russia and Italy and develop small and medium-sized businesses of the two countries.

Earlier, in September, Lorenzo Pocini, associate professor of political philosophy and geopolitics, consultant in strategic analysis, geopolitics and international relations, publisher and journalist, told Izvestia at the Eastern Economic Forum that Russia is a leading country in a multipolar world. In his opinion, the presence of the Russian market in the international arena actually pushes other states to build a new world.

The expert added that one of the first things that caught the eye at the forum was the diversity and originality of products that have no analogues in the Western market, both in terms of technological development and geo-economic prospects.