Former Minister of agriculture of Italy, Luca ZAIA criticized anti-Russian sanctions of the European Union during a speech at the rally of representatives of the national agricultural sector in Verona, organized by Coldiretti, a major Association of Italian agricultural producers, RIA Novosti reported.

The need to lift anti-Russian sanctions dictated by multi-million dollar impact on the European economy. Onion, Jia emphasized the importance of the Russian market in the foreign trade of Europe, including in the field of agriculture and food.
Zia, called for the immediate lifting anti-Russian sanctions and to continue the dialogue with Russia. According to him, the Russian Federation in Italy has always believed and continue to believe a friendly country.

Italian regions are among the most active opponents of anti-Russian sanctions and EU policy in relation to the Crimea. On the eve of the power of the Liturgy, adopted a resolution calling for the lifting of trade restrictions. Earlier, a similar document was approved by the Parliament of Veneto, in the near future a vote will take place in Lombardy and Tuscany.

Italian deputies estimate damage to the EU because of the sanctions in 44 billion euros, which is equivalent to loss of about 900 thousand jobs.