MOSCOW, July 23. /ITAR-TASS/. The trend for protectionism is intensifying worldwide, and it affects Russian companies and goods, so it is necessary to adapt to the new environment, said Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at a meeting with Russian trade representatives.

The global economy was recovering from the crisis, and all countries, including Russian partners, "are seeking any opportunities to restore their economies and expand presence on the international market", he added. Russia will protect its economic interests in the world using all legal means, Medvedev stressed. “I would like to touch upon the issue of protection of Russian companies. Any cases of discrimination should be carefully monitored and it is necessary to forecast such actions wherever possible, to defend our legal interests, explain the sense of response measures we take and the reasons for their introduction,” the prime minister said.

Medvedev has confirmed that Russia may introduce measures for the protection of its economy in connection with European association of Ukraine and Moldova - countries that simultaneously fall within the zone of free trade with Russia. “We objectively assess negative consequences of such decisions for our economy. We consider these risks as rather serious, especially regarding technical regulation, standards, sanitary and phyto-sanitary control,” he said. “Therefore, we are holding consultations with the EU, partners in the Customs Union and CIS, and we will have to introduce protection measures in a certain situation,” Medvedev stressed.

Latin American and African states are primary sales markets for Russian products alongside Asia-Pacific countries, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Russia “wants to work actively at different markets, and together with everyone who is ready to cooperate with us on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,” Medvedev said.

“For objective reasons, Latin American and African countries are becoming the most promising for investment cooperation alongside the Asia-Pacific region,” he added. “A target audience is being formed there to expand supplies of Russian equipment, aircraft and other industrial goods.

There are clear signals US, European companies plan to continue cooperation with Russia, the prime minister noted. Russia values its reputation as a reliable supplier to Europe, he added. Russia still seeks to maintain mutually beneficial relations with the European Union which remains and will remain Russia’s main trade partner for a long time, he said. “The Ukrainian crisis has had a negative effect on our relations with the EU,” he said. “Sometimes these events are called a watershed between the past and the future of Europe. But this is not so for our country,” the prime minister said.

Cooperation with the Asia Pacific is Russia's key priority, Medvedev said. "We literally need a breakthrough in this sphere to help us overcome many economic and technological obstacles on the way of sustainable growth," he said.