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Russia-France partnership foundation unshaken by Western sanctions - deputy PM

The negative effect of the EU sanctions against Russia is not significant for cooperation with French partners in various spheres, Sergey Prikhodko said

PARIS, March 22. /TASS/. The EU sanctions against Russia could not rock the foundation of friendly ties between Russia and France that is Moscow’s key partner in Europe, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Government Chief of Staff Sergey Prikhodko said in an interview with Le Figaro newspaper.

"France is the most important partner of Russia in Europe thanks to its ties on the continent and with the rest of the world. Our cooperation has a firm foundation based on practical considerations and also sympathy and mutual respect that are difficult to be shaken. Both sides take efforts on supporting the projects that have been already launched and on developing the new ones," Prikhodko said.

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Central dome mounted on Holy Trinity Cathedral at Russian spiritual center in Paris

The negative effect of the EU sanctions against Russia is not significant for cooperation with French partners in various spheres, he said. "We have deep and various ties that in general do not depend on the economic and political environment."

"Cooperation in culture and between regions, French investment projects in Russia - all this continues without hindrance. This is a sign of a reliable and constructive partnership," Prikhodko said.

He noted that bilateral trade has dropped but this has a temporary character.

The interview with Le Figaro newspaper came on occasion of mounting of a central dome on the Holy Trinity Cathedral on the territory of the future Russian Orthodox Spiritual-Cultural Center in Paris. Russia’s delegation to the ceremony on Saturday was led by Prikhodko. "Mounting of the dome marks beginning of the final stage in construction of the Russian center, which is a historic event," he said.

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