In the last seven years, "exports of the 27 member States of the European Union to Russia tripled", while "imports doubled". The data on trade exchange, made known by Eurostat, show the importance of today’s meeting in Samara, between the representatives of the EU institutions and those of the Russian Federation. The value of the goods and services reaching Moscow went from 22 to 72 billion euros, from 2000 to 2007; on the other hand, imports went up from 64 to 140 billion euros. "At the end of 2006, the trade gap of the European Union amounted to 68.2 billion euros", mainly due to energy supplies (gas, carbon) coming from the Euro-Asian country. As for Russia, above all, it imports machinery, vehicles, radio and television sets, computers, clothing, and drugs. The first country in the import/export standings with Moscow is Germany; however, Finland, Italy, Poland, and the Baltic States have also intense production and commercial relationships with Russia. (to be continued)
