ar in Russia 2012/13.
6. Future shape of Russian-German Relations: driving force of Russian-EU relations?
direction is one of diplomatic priority for Russia both from economical and political point of view. Closeness of social and political culture and common historical experience are necessary preconditions for future partnership. Geographical factors inevitably push politicians to negotiate common issues and Europe with Turkey but without Russia seems nonsense for many Europeans and Russians. But since the beginning of 2000-is the hard partnership of Russia and EU has given place to the prolonged systematic crisis with no evidences of improvement.leaders are trumpeting the successful development in economic cooperation with Germany: ТР‹The building of common economic space between Russia and EU is now in a stage of practical realization. It should be noticed that stimulation of business activity in Europe depends from the Russian-German co-operationТЛ.today Germany is trade partner number one for Russian economy (its share in Russian external trade is round 10%). But for Germany Russia is not a prior external trade partner even in East Europe, it stands after Poland and Check Republic. Russian share in external trade of Germany could be compared with share of Africa without SAR (2,5%). In spite of trade growth in 2000-s two countries now are far from the level that existed between USSR and two Germanys during the Cold War. In a sphere of direct investments the situation is even worse: Russia s share is less than 1% from all German investments abroad. Political statements stressing that Germany is interested in deepening of economic cooperation do not lead to providing the most favored nation treatment for Russian companies. For example, the negotiations about Russia s moving from fifth to forth group according to OECD scale have being conducted since mid 1990-is and depended a lot of the support of Germany, but positive decision was taken only in 2003. Also structure of commodity circulation with Germany looks not so favorable for Russia: 92% of Russian export represent raw materials, large part of import from Germany are (round 70%) plants and equipment.German firms are vitally interested in the growing Russian home market (population of Russia is still by 50 prevails that of Germany) which could also provide competitive advantages on markets of Central Asia, Belarus and Ukraine. The other link is huge Russian debts to Germany that do produce an impact on the German economy (positive like in 2005 when Russia has settled debt commitments to the Paris Club ahead of schedule or negative). Important connecting link between two countries is energy dialogue. Today more than 30% of German total demand for oil and gas are covere...
