Instead of Sanctions: German Minister of Economy Travels to Moscow

21.09.2016
Russia

The beginning of the two-day visit of the Vice-Chancellor of Germany and Minister of Economy and Energy, Sigmar Gabriel, to Russia is scheduled for September 21st. On the first day, Gabriel will meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Support for German business

During his visit, Gabriel plans to meet with representatives of German business operating on the territory of Russia. Despite the crisis and decline in trade between the countries, the Russian market is very important for German companies as it, according to European experts, still has prospects for growth, while the old world markets have reached their limits.

Opponent of TTIP and promoter of CETA

Gabriel is unique for having a contradictory position on the globalization of Western countries’ economic system and the neoliberal agenda as such. On the one hand, he strongly opposed the signing of the agreement on the transatlantic partnership (TTIP), while on the other he convinced German opposition forces not to resist signing the agreement on freedom of investment and trade with Canada (CETA). In general, both have the same goal: the erosion of the national economy and the opening of European markets to transnational companies. It is possible that the latter was done under pressure from transnational financial elites.

Related links
The Realistic Alternative for Germany
France, Germany, Russia and Multipolarity
Germany: From Economic Integration to Political Unity. Part 1
Germany: From Economic Integration to Political Unity. Part 2
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