MOSCOW, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Russia has no major differences with the European Union's desire for reforming marketing principles in the energy sector, President Vladimir Putin said.
Putin made the remarks at a Moscow meeting of Russian and EU industrialists. He said the only disagreements were "the pace and specific form of reforms," Novosti reported.
"The comparatively low prices for energy products in Russia are the objective result of our natural competitive advantages. And we do not deem it necessary to get rid of them," Putin said.
As an example of similar natural advantages of European countries Putin referred to the favorable climate of the EU nations where agriculture is well developed.
Putin also renewed his call for a Russian-EU free trade zone for such things as energy and transport, science and education, environment and telecommunications.
