Russia wants European Union to open Russian investment

MOSCOW, Nov 16: Russia wants the European Union to open its doors to Russian investment, President Vladimir Putin's envoy on EU issues said today, speaking before an EU-Russia summit in Finland later this month.

''We are interested in greater access for Russian companies to those sectors of the EU market that are as important for the EU as the energy sector is for Russia,'' Sergei Yastrzhembsky told a meeting with European businessmen.

''We are talking about access to utilities, nuclear materials, electrical power machine building sectors as well as broader access to European energy distribution networks,'' he said.

Russia accuses EU governments of blocking attempts by state-owned Russian companies such as gas giant Gazprom and VTB bank to buy stakes in European firms.

The European Union and Russia are due to discuss a new cooperation pact at a summit on November 24 and Yastrzhembsky said the differences between the two sides can be resolved.

''Existing disagreements -- the ratification of the Energy Charter, restrictions on trade in nuclear materials, Russian firms' access to European markets -- all these problems can be resolved,'' he said.

The European Union wants Russia to ratify an energy charter providing increased security of energy supplies and better access for investors in Russia's energy sector.

EU member Poland has threatened to scupper the Helsinki talks by asking the EU to demand commitments from Russia on secure energy supplies and on lifting its ban on Polish food imports.

Reuters