The prime minister is despondent over the collapse of the deal to buy the German car giant.
Most of yesterday's cabinet meeting was devoted to the automobile industry. So it only makes sense that the keynote speaker was Industry Minister Khristenko, who indicated that the programme for the procurement of Russian-made vehicles for government agencies and municipalities would continue and that it would support 40% of the domestic car industry. He also announced that a programme for the disposal of used cars would soon be launched in Russia.
"What do you think of General Motors refusing to sell Opel to the Magna-Sberbank consortium?" Putin asked.
"I think we gained some valuable experience by being part of such deals," Khristenko replied.
Putin then quickly responded: "The refusal certainly doesn't harm our interests, although we were ready to support Sberbank. We had offered 250 million euros in guarantees. A large amount of work had already been done. The last-minute refusal speaks volumes about the peculiar way Americans deal with their partners. That's obvious. General Motors didn't give anyone warning and just presented everyone with a fait accompli. This is not experience, this is a lesson. We need to be mindful of this style of doing business."
The prime minister promised, however, that Russia would continue to work with American partners, and certainly with German, Japanese and French partners whose enterprises are operating in Russia. AvtoVAZ will undoubtedly have support.
Some good domestic news was also reported. Energy Minister Shmatko indicated that the country was ready for the winter; 142% of the necessary amount of coal has already been stocked, in addition to 132% of the necessary fuel oil. The construction of 17 bridges that started in the Soviet era but was later abandoned will be completed this year. Likewise, the 24 km bridge in Ulyanovsk, the longest in Europe, is due to be opened shortly.
Larisa Kaftan