Russia: Ulyukaev meets German Vice-Chancellor to talk trade and investment

Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukaev and German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, spoke to press in Moscow, Thursday, following their meeting where they discussed issues of trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Ulyukaev noted that the meeting was "the continuation of the talks that took place yesterday with the President of the Russian Federation. We discussed a wide variety of issues in regards to trade and especially investment cooperation." The Russian economic development minister also noted "we have just talked with German business. I must say that our colleagues have posed very straightforward and concrete questions, which concern problems of localisation and our joint access to markets of other countries." Ulyukaev also stated that the programme of action has been set, expressing hope that the meeting that is due to take place on October 31 will help the parties "resolve the existing issues."
In turn, Gabriel thanked his counterpart and said "despite the well-known difficulties between Germany, Europe and the Russian Federation, we have continued working on the economic relations so that despite these difficulties, our economic relations remain stable. In Russia, some 5,600 companies are working well here and are investing and creating jobs. At the same time, their economic engagement in Russia makes them liked in their homeland and ensures that these companies are successful in Germany. We would like to work together so that it remains this way and that more opportunities of investment are created."
When speaking to the press, Ulyukaev also mentioned Vladimir Putin's remarks on Wednesday, saying "we remain friends of German business. It's a crucial point in these troublesome times. The presence of German businesses in Russia and our cooperation are valuable to us."