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Hamburg, St Petersberg port people co-operate as much as they can

SOME 220 people from the ports of Hamburg and St Petersburg met in the Russian port at the traditional Hamburg reception with both sides expressing hopes their governments could get along as well as they do.

At issue is the hostility between the European Union and the Russia over Moscow's annexation of the Crimea and its support for ethnic Russian insurgents battling Ukrainian government forces.

Kirill Alexandrov, logistics manager for Russian logistics firm Arivist, said governments should learn from business. 揥ith us, negotiations continue until a result is achieved that is acceptable for both sides,?he said.

揟he EU and Russia will have to live with the consequences of their decisions. Much of what has been built up in good faith over 20 years of successful partnership threatens to collapse," said Mr Alexandrov.

Representatives of the ports and transport industry in Hamburg and Russia gathered at the traditional Port of Hamburg reception in St Petersburg hosted by Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM).

HHM chief executive Ingo Egloff said he was happy to see Russians participating in such numbers and also had a special welcome for the visitors from Hamburg who had come to St Petersburg.

揃usiness in the Port of Hamburg hopes that reason and mutual trust will soon dominate at the political level too, since these form the basis for trade, economic relations and further cooperation in the future,?he said.

Dmitry Vasiliev, managing director of Hamburg transport concern Grimex, suggested that both sides adapt to the new situation.

揌ere again, I see Hamburg as having a special role as a hub for new cargo flows to Russia," said Mr Vasiliev.

"Russia is seeking new suppliers in non-EU countries such as those in South America. I shall continue to offer Russian customers solutions via Hamburg, since for decades Hamburg has been a reliable partner to Russia and should remain so,?he said.