ZAGREB, May 24, 2019 - Russia is not a threat to the European Union and the most important task of Russia's foreign policy is to renew relations with the EU and the United States, Russian Ambassador to Croatia Anvar Azimov said in Zagreb on Thursday, calling for lifting of sanctions against Russia and strengthening of Russia-Croatia relations.
In response to the annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of the neighbouring Ukraine, the EU imposed restrictive measures against the Russian Federation in March 2014. "Sanctions imposed against Russia are non-productive and the European Union is losing the most as a result," Azimov said during a talk he gave on Russia's foreign policy and Russia-Croatia relations. The event was organised by the Croatian Diplomatic Club.
Azimov reminded that Europe still depended on Russian gas, including Croatia which last year imported over two billion cubic metres of gas from Russia.
Azimov also said Russia was a close partner of the EU, adding that efforts were being made to lift sanctions and open dialogue with the bloc regarding a visa-free regime. The ambassador is confident that a visa-free regime would lead to a higher number of Russian tourists in Croatia. "Russia is not a threat to the European Union, but there is a lack of political will to advance relations," Azimov said.
Commenting on Croatia-Russia relations, Azimov said they should be even better. The two countries' trade amounts to approximately two billion euros and Azimov is confident the trade should be at least three billion euros.
He also said there was no alternative to the drawing closer of the European Union and Russia, adding that this "is a natural and logical process."
Also present during Azimov speech was Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić who said that as a sign of friendship with Russia, Zagreb would organise Moscow Day in June and Saint Petersburg Day in September.
More news about relations between Croatia and Russia can be found in the Politics section.
