Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov believes that the country should prepare for competition with Europe on the domestic freight market, Itar-Tass reports.
"European partners confirmed their interest in the opening of Russia’s inland waters for the entry of foreign vessels," Ivanov told a meeting of the Maritime Collegium on Wednesday.
"That is, they see an advantage in using our inland waterways; but how ready are we for this competition and what should be done to protect Russian interests?" Ivanov said.
He said the issue of cooperation with Europe was recently discussed at a meeting of the working group on sea-, river and inland waters transport within the framework of the Russian-EU transport dialogue.
Earlier, Ivanov said Russia’s inland waterways played a major role in internal cargo traffic.