Russian deputy PM on supplies of agricultural products to Asia: Unfriendly countries in region showing interest in resuming ties with Russia

GYEONGJU. Oct 30 (Interfax) - Asian countries are interested in expanding Russian agricultural exports, including unfriendly states which are showing cautious interest in resuming ties with Russia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told journalists.

"Understanding that the level of uncertainty which was characteristic for economies and for individual markets should be reduced, they are trying to restore contacts with us, are signaling about restoring contacts, about their desire to return to more normal relations. This even concerns unfriendly countries," Overchuk said when answering a question about whether issues of increasing supplies of Russian agricultural products to Asian countries are being discussed within the framework of the APEC summit.

"We of course are reacting to this, conveying our position regarding this. Of course, we always say that Russia today is a leading country in terms of agricultural exports. This year, as you know, we again have a very good grain harvest, and our export capacity is very high, so we are always interested in supplying our food to any markets," he said.

Overall, the Pacific region today represents the main global market, he said. "And from this point of view, it certainly represents a priority for Russia. In order for us to enter this market, we must create the best conditions for our producers. And we are achieving this by concluding free trade agreements, forming conditions for convenient transport and logistics links between our country and the countries of the region. Of course, we are also talking about payment systems in this context. The entire range of issues that need to be resolved in order to provide Russian producers with the best competitive conditions on world markets," he said, noting that these topics will be the subject of negotiations at the APEC summit taking place this week in South Korea.