Bavarian business demands an end to sanctions against Russia
The German auto industry, which is in crisis, cannot do without the important Russian market after the scandal with the Volkswagen concern, writes today the German Economic News.
Subscribe to PolitNavigator – Kyiv news on Facebook , Odnoklassniki , or VKontakte
In the German economy, voices for the lifting of sanctions are increasingly growing. These voices, writes the German publication, were given strength by the scandal with the Volkswagen concern, which is accused by the Americans of deliberately underestimating the level of harmful substances from the cars produced by the concern. If the charges are confirmed, the largest German automobile concern will have to pay $18 billion in fines. At the same time, the concern’s annual income is only 11 billion.
That is why Alfred Gafal, President of the Bavarian Business Association, states: “We need Russia, not only economically, but also as a strategic partner for jointly solving global problems.” “Together we must solve the problem of the Islamic terrorist state,” adds the German industrialist.
“We welcome any initiative to find a peaceful solution for Syria and closer cooperation with Russia, as well as the start of negotiations with President Putin,” says Alfred Ghafal. Let us remind you that the second largest German automaker, the BMW concern, is located in Bavaria.
Representatives of the German economy, the publication writes, cannot help but admit that the sanctions did not lead to the desired political effect, while causing harm to the German economy.
Last week, Sigmar Gabriel, head of Germany's Social Democrats and number two in the German government after Angela Merkel, spoke out in favor of lifting the sanctions.
Bavarian businesses demand an end to sanctions against Russia.