"Under current circumstances, when Russia's relations with Western nations have cooled down, we think it is important not to allow a setback in the bilateral ties with our key European partners, Belgium being one of them," the ministry said on its website ahead of Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister's visit to Russia.
The Russian ministry noted that, unfortunately, Western sanctions imposed on Russia have impacted Russian-Belgian trade cooperation, although the total turnover followed a positive trend, with the sales volume standing at $9.9 billion over the period from January to September 2014.
According to the ministry, both Russian and Belgian companies continue to show interest in the development of mutual cooperation, with Belgian businesses expanding further their presence in Russia.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Didier Reynders is expected to visit Moscow on December 8 and 9 following the invitation from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Moscow's relations with the European Union have become tense in light of the Ukrainian crisis, with the bloc accusing Russia of meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs, which Moscow has denied. The EU states went on to impose several rounds of sanctions on Russia, to which Moscow responded with a food imports ban.
