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French deputy hopes for economic cooperation between France, Crimea

Russia’s legislator Leonid Slutsky, who welcomed the delegation, said during the second visit of the French deputies to Crimea, the parties discuss "detailed investments and cooperation."

SEVASTOPOL, July 30. /TASS/. Deputy of France’s National Assembly Thierry Mariani, visiting Crimea as head of French MPs delegation, hopes for development of economic cooperation between French businesses and Russia’s Crimean region.

"I hope as political problems retreat to the background, we shall have many important and interesting projects," he told reporters on Saturday following talks with Sevastopol’s acting governor, Dmitry Ovsyannikov. This cooperation could develop "in all spheres of the economy."

Russia’s legislator Leonid Slutsky, who welcomed the delegation, said during the second visit of the French deputies to Crimea (the previous one was in summer, 2015), the parties discuss "detailed investments and cooperation."

"Now, under conditions of the archaic anti-Russian sanctions, of course, it is rather complicated to speak about it… But many in Europe come to realizing everything and want to cooperate with Crimea and Sevastopol inside Russia."

Reunification with Russia supported by most people in Crimea

The decision regarding reunification with Russia reflects the majority opinion in Crimea, Thierry Mariani said during a meeting at the Alliance Francaise cultural center on Saturday.

"The referendum about Crimea’s joining the Russian Federation reflected the people’s aspirations… During our visit we have a stable opinion the decision to return to Russia reflects opinion of the majority," he said.

"No matter what conditions of the referendum on Crimea’s joining Russia could be, it was to be organized rather promptly," he continued. "Without that referendum, here could be the third front."

The group of eleven French MPs with the National Assembly deputy Thierry Mariani at the head came to Crimea on a three-day visit. The itinerary of their trip includes meeting with officials and rank-and-file residents of Crimea, a visit to Massandra breweries, one of Russia’s major producers of wines, and participation in festivities on occasion of the Navy Day due on Sunday.

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