Igor Shuvalov, aide to Russia's President Vladimir Putin
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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President’s Aide Favors EADS Rather Than Boeing
Russia should develop partnership with European Aeronautic Defense and Space (EADS) Agency, as there is no way to do it with American Boeing, Igor Shuvalov, aide to President Vladimir Putin, announced Wednesday. So, at today’s meeting with EADS, top managers of Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. won’t be able to pressurize by possible cooperation with Boeing to win Europe’s consent for joint projects.
Russia should develop real partnership with EADS to upsurge the aviation industry, Igor Shuvalov, aide to President Vladimir Putin, told American-Russian Business Council in Washington on Wednesday.
Shuvalov said he doubts that real partnership with Boeing could be ever established for constructing aircraft in both countries – the United States and Russia, PRIME-TASS reported. But it could be done with EADS, where the components of planes are assembled in different countries now.
But the dialogue with EADS isn’t easy. Europeans fear that Russia will arrive with big money, buy their company and start giving orders, but it won’t happen, Shuvalov promised.
In September, EADS and Russia’s VTB announced the deal whereby the latter acquired 5 percent in EADS. Of interest is that Aeroflot BOD, which chairman is Putin’s aide Viktor Ivanov, ignored the proposal of management to buy 22 Boeing 787s as long-distance aircraft of the airlines.
But the timing of Shuvalov’s statement couldn't be called very advantageous - just two days prior to the talks of Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. and EADS. The highlights of this get-together with Europe is Russia’s participation in the project of À350XWB development, making freight carriers out of passenger À320s/330s and Russia’s membership as one of the key suppliers for Airbus aircraft. Moreover, EADS is willing to canvas the possible swap of its stake in Irkut Corp. for stocks of United Aircraft Corporation.
Shuvalov might have intended to win concessions of the United States in some issues but, at the same time, he weakened Russia in negotiations with EADS, a source close to United Aircraft Corp. said on condition of anonymity.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 08, 2006
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