Export to Russia, Europe pays the price of the embargo. Obvious consequence of the recent renewal of the absurd sanctions that the USA, through its vassals in the EU, have imposed on Russia.
The European Council unanimously decided on 22.6.17 to extend for a further six months – until 31.1.18 – a series of economic sanctions against Russia. Sanctions affecting the financial, energy and defense sectors. In addition to so-called technologies dual use.
The Moscow government has responded by renewing for its part for one year, until 31.12.18, an embargo affecting the export of several categories of European foods. Such as meat – including processed – and fish products, as well as fruit and vegetables. For the defense of national interests and the support of local productions in the sectors involved.
The European Commission meanwhile has allocated another 70 million in additional aid for fruit growers in the 12 EU countries most affected by the embargo. In the futile attempt to remedy the disaster caused to the European agri-food supply chain.
The renewal of sanctions imposed by NATO since 2014 seems unavoidable, in the absence of developments on the situation east of Ukraine. Although the 2015 Minsk agreements are clearly inadequate to unblock the confrontation between Kiev and the territories with a predominantly pro-Russian identity. (1)
European politicians seem to have forgotten Russia's crucial historical role in the liberation from the Nazi siege. And the current one, in the liberation of Syria from the Islamic State cutthroats unfortunately armed by the Atlantic alliance with the contribution of Saudi Arabia and neighbors.
The agri-food chain Italian meanwhile complains about the lack of representation and the absurdity of the extended sanctions against its great ally forever. According to trade organizations, the renewed cold war has already caused to the Made in Italy a loss of over 10 billion euros. Following the drastic drop in exports in the leading economy of the European continent.
The further damage is added – estimated at more than one billion euros – to the reputation of Made in Italy in Russia. Where, faced with the unavailability of authentic Italian products that this market continues to demand, the proliferation of counterfeit goods is inevitable.
Awaiting new elections, in Italy and Europe, we await with confidence the taking of positions consistent with the history and current situation of the geopolitical and economic scenario.
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) France and Germany rely on a new negotiation, which would see them involved as protagonists of the so-called 'Normandy Quartet', alongside the Russian leader and the alleged Ukrainian counterpart. Moreover, the first face-to-face between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, scheduled at the G20 in Hamburg on July 7-8, 2017
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT – Food Times) and Égalité.
