Stefan Meister, Researcher of the German Council on Foreign Relations, Germany

— Rosatom-Siemens partnership will be beneficial for both sides

I think it is an example of a very interesting development. Before Siemens expressed inclination to cooperate with the Russian company they had just cancelled their cooperation with the French atomic company because there were some problems in the last years and they were looking for new partners. I think this is the most important thing. In the recent one or two years we have had huge development of nuclear industry. There is a big interest in the European states, for example in Sweden, towards construction of new nuclear power stations. I think there is a huge growing market. There are changes because of climate problems. Maybe the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian gas dispute also showed the necessity to diversify energy sources.

I think that interest of Siemens is interested in Russian big know-hows in this field. It is a success in this context in growing states, India, Iran, China. It has a significant share at the markets where Siemens is also participating, but less than Russian companies. On the one hand Russia may help Siemens to enter these markets. As for Russia, it will be helpful for it to have know-how of Siemens. Siemens is a very good name. It is one of the leading companies in this field. Both companies will benefit from cooperation. It is very important to bring know-how to each other and to have some concentrate companies which really can manage big deals in this field. I think partnership will be beneficial for both sides.

There is still Russian nuclear technology in the European countries. But sometimes there are discussions in Europe on security of the Russian nuclear sector. I think that cooperation with Siemens can be helpful for Russian companies in this way. It is a psychological moment which may make Russian nuclear sector more secure in the public opinion and it may help Russia to enter the Western European markets. Siemens is a very food name in these countries.

The issue is also one of examples of successful development of economic ties between Russian-German economic ties. Siemens also has other contracts with Russian companies, for example in train production. So this is another example how bilateral relations between Russia and Germany in the economic field further develop. It is also a sign that at the period of the financial crisis the German company is investing in Russia and still has interest towards the Russian market, still has interest towards technological cooperation with Russian companies. This is a good sign for further cooperation development. Besides it is not political interest, but economical interest towards the Russian nuclear sector which makes the image of the Russian nuclear industry more normal, more good for the Western European countries.