22 January 2017, the Minister of agriculture of the Russian Federation Alexander Tkachev held a working meeting with Federal Minister of food and agriculture of Germany Christian Schmidt, which took place in the framework of the meeting of the agriculture Ministers of the group of twenty in Berlin.

During the meeting Alexander Tkachev thanked his German counterpart for assistance in resolving the issue of his participation in the activities of the summit of agriculture Ministers of the group of twenty in spite of a difficult time in bilateral relations and prevailing sanctions rhetoric.

The Minister said that in 2016, the trade turnover of agricultural products between the two countries, compared with 2013 year – up to the introduction of retaliatory economic measures by Russia against EU countries decreased by 2% to 1.1 billion U.S. dollars.

"German business is in favour of the development of trade with Russia, whilst finding new opportunities to increase the supply of those goods, which are not included in the sanctions list. We also see some prospects for Russian producers and suppliers of agricultural products to the German market", — said Alexander Tkachev.

Following the meeting, the sides expressed the hope that the gradual establishment of a dialogue between Russia and Germany in the agricultural sector.

Photo: Ministry of agriculture of the Russian Federation