Published: February 6th, 2017

Despite the serious inner problems in Russia, our country got the chance to take part in the formation of the new architecture of the world, considers Ruslan Grinberg, the Co-Chair of the Moscow Economic Forum, the scientific director of the Institute of Economy of RAS. The Corresponding member of RAS told about the key economic and social issues and tasks, that stand before the country in the time of global transformation of International relations.

– Ruslan, on the 30^th-31^st of March the Moscow Economic Forum will be held. What questions and problems are planned for discussion in the framework of the first Plenary discussion «Confused man between despair and hope: the world situation and the Russian specificity», which you are the moderator of?

– Our world is on the threshold of something unknown and troubled. We are observing the really radical transformation in policy, and in economy, and in culture, and also in the mindset – in the distinction of goodness and evil. It looks like that we enter into the new reality, the outlines of which are viewed not so clearly. It's clear that – turbulence continues, and right now it is necessary to understand, how to set the international living on the planet. The economic reality is also important. We have to deal with the threat of protectionism, isolationism, there is the threat to free trade. On the other hand, Russia has some chances to take part in the formation of the new architecture of the world, although Russia has serious internal economic and social problems.

– What problems will be discussed?

– On the first session, we will try to understand, where the world is going to, and how the economy will be developed, and also how the economic unions will be clubbed together and lined up the relationships with the USA, Europe, Russia and China – interaction inside this quadrangle is fundamentally important. Let’s talk on opportunities depart from militant rhetoric in our relations with the West and to restore the lost mutual trust, about, what the relations between the United States and China will be, and then we are to discuss the Russian specificity – what should be done to instill people with optimism regarding the nearest future. We do not like the idea, how the power reacts on the stagnation in economy, it looks like, they conserve it with their inactivity. On the Forum, we are trying to demonstrate, what should be done in social and economic spheres to nudge the country from the stagnation and to place it on the trajectory of the sustainable growth.

– How do You think, what chances does the current world situation give Russia?

– Today the relationships between the United States and Europe are changing, «BREXIT» gives some opportunities for strengthening our positions. Russia should act very carefully, not to harm the unity of the West, which crumbles itself, but to try to restore the trust with the key countries of the European Union, especially with Germany. It's very sad, that distrust between the leaders of Russia and Germany continues. I think, that the main task should be the restoration of such relations. Also, we should try to solve the problem of Donbass, which does not improve understanding between countries. Therefore, we should work with rebels/separatists, and they – with the Ukrainian Government, to reach the agreement. Otherwise the alienation will be going on, which will harm both the West and Russia.

– Security, inequality and social well-being these are the key questions, on which our society and the Government are constantly trying to give the answer. What problems and tasks did the past year add to them?

– Life of the people has deteriorated this year. The number of the poor is growing. This is the most difficult problem, which will not be solved without serious solutions. The quality of education and health are not improving. Neither the increase of oil prices nor increase of the ruble exchange rate can influence it. There is no economic policy aimed for the solving of these problems in our country. Today politics has rather the reactive feature, and it is not integrated and strategic. Our task is to try to understand what strategy is needed right away, to try to cut the magnitude of poverty and to increase the middle class.

– Thank you for the conversation, Ruslan!

Source: PR departement of MEF