Association of European Businesses meets with EU Commissioner on Trade Peter Mandelson 19.06.2008

June 19, 2008

European Businesses Meet with Commissioner Mandelson

AEB talks to Peter Mandelson about the Russian accession to the WTO

On June 19, 2008, a delegation from the Association of European Businesses led by the Deputy Chairman of the AEB Executive Board Mr. Roger Munnings (Chairman and CEO of KPMG Russia/CIS Region) met with EU Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson during his visit to Moscow to discuss the bilateral EU-Russia relations, Russian accession to the WTO and to raise the issues of concern for European business operating in Russia. 

During the meeting both parties have confirmed their commitment to promote the Russian accession to the WTO.

Peter Mandelson has described the current Russian economic position as one of competitive advantage in the current economic situation. 

The representatives of the European Businesses have used this opportunity to once again voice the issues of concerns for them, including the limitations on the quota for foreign employees and the elaboration of the administrative regulations of the new law on foreign investment. 

Dr. Frank Schauff (AEB CEO) commented: “Our meeting with Commissioner Mandelson has confirmed the importance of the Russian accession to the WTO for the European businesses operating in Russia. We highly appreciate the efforts of Commissioner Mandelson in the direction of the better EU-Russia cooperation. And on our side, we will do our best in achieving this goal”.