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Электронное приложение к журналу «Международная жизнь»
Author : S. Razov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Italy
I took the office of ambassador to Italy in June 2013 - in fact, at
the peak of cooperation between our countries, better described
by the term "strategic partnership." I would like to quote Russian
President V.V. Putin's remarks to the effect that Russian-Italian
ties have always had a privileged status both in the political and
in the economic spheres.
However, in 2014, amid the Western policy of sanctions and
pressure on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, the intensity of
contacts declined. Understandably, this did not happen on our
initiative. In particular, a number of important bilateral events
on our joint calendar did not take place. Bilateral trade also de-
clined. At the same time, I should give credit to our Italian part-
ners, who, at the most critical period of a freeze in relations
between Russia and the EU, despite peremptory orders from Brussels and Washington, on the
whole took a balanced and farsighted approach, seeking to minimize the damage to the potential
for the bilateral interaction that has evolved over decades.
Governments and political parties in power change but national and state interests remain. I
am absolutely confident that our interests are essentially identical, parallel or similar. Add here
the established age-long traditions of friendly relations and cooperation, the shared Christian
roots, the fundamental civilizational values, and so on. In addition, our Italian partners are very
well aware that without Russia it is impossible to resolve any major international issues today.
We realize, of course, that Italy as an EU and NATO member is bound by allied obligations,
the bonds of Euro-Atlantic solidarity and discipline. There should be no illusions in this regard.
Membership in alliances certainly limits their participants in pursuing an independent foreign
policy course but it does not deprive them of this right.
Italy is our fourth largest trading partner. In 2014, trade turnover was $48.5 billion, falling by
10% compared to 2013. In 2015, according to preliminary data, the trade volume fell by another
one-third, including Russian exports to Italy by 30% and Italian imports to Russia by almost
40%. The number of Russian tourists visiting Italy has fallen approximately as much. The re-
duction in the number of Russian clients at Italian clothing and footwear shops is obvious even
at a glance, while their average purchase has basically halved.
Russia's decision to close the South Stream project, in which Italy participated, among others,
is well known. The prospects for another southern transit route, called Turkish Stream, given
Ankara's unfriendly actions, also have complicated. Needless to say, the lack of a southern gas
transport corridor from Russia is not conducive to the energy security of south European and
Mediterranean countries.
Russian-Italian Relations Amid the Euro-Atlantic Winter