Russian business to continue work within B8 and B20

MOSCOW, March 19 (Itar-Tass) - Business 8 (B8) will continue to develop recommendations for minimisation of global risks to leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized countries despite political tensions, says Alexander Shokhin, head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. “We started working to develop recommendations. The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs has been doing this work up to now. The recent events slightly changed plans for the G8 summit due in Sochi in June,” he said. “Nevertheless, we believe that for business it is important to have a coordinated point of view on interaction with the authorities within the framework of G8 and G20.” Shokhin added that on Monday, an online forum of chief executive officers within the framework of Australia’s G20 presidency took place. “Many problems that we will discuss today intersect with the G20 themes.” On Tuesday, Russia signed the agreement on the accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol after a referendum supporting this decision. In response the United States and the European Union announced sanctions against a limited circle of Russian and Ukrainian officials. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius spoke of possible suspension of Russia from G8. Later German Chancellor Angela Merkel denied his statement.