French window to Europe
“B” learned about the plans of President Emmanuel Macron arrive at the St. Petersburg economic forum.
As it became known””, in Paris willing to accept the offer of the Russian authorities about the arrival of the President of Emmanuel Macron in may next year in St. Petersburg for international economic forum, where he can become the main foreign guest. According to “Kommersant”, the invitation to visit the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin gave the French counterpart in may, during negotiations at Versailles. Moscow hopes that the visit of the President of Macron will help to reverse the negative trend in relations with the EU, which next summer will once again solve the question of the extension by six months sanctions against Russia.
According to information from diplomatic sources in Paris, the decision on the visit of Emmanuel Macron in Saint Petersburg almost accepted, but officially it will not be announced yet.
“The reason is purely formal, but very respectful — explains interlocutor “Kommersant” in Paris.— Presidential elections in Russia will take place in March, and although we anticipate the outcome would not be entirely right to accept now the invitation is not re-elected Vladimir Putin.”
As found “Kommersant”, the invitation to visit Russia, President Putin gave to his French counterpart on 29 may, during their negotiations at Versailles. In the future, through diplomatic channels, was studied with different timing — in particular, the parties discussed possible arrival of Mr Macron in Moscow in December 2017 or January 2018. The latter option was abandoned, as in this case, the visit would fall on Christmas and new year holidays in Russia.
In the end the choice was made in favor of St. Petersburg, where, from 24 to 26 may will be held St. Petersburg international economic forum (SPIEF).
Russia has traditionally paid particular attention to what foreign guests come to this event.
In 2016, in the midst of confrontation between Moscow and the EU on Ukraine, the most prominent European participant of SPIEF was Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, largely contributed to the fact that the intensity of the confrontation between Russia and Europe has declined.