Spanish-Russian Scientific Cooperation Remains At Pre-Sanctions Level - Science Minister

The sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries did not affect the scientific ties between Moscow and Madrid, with the bilateral cooperation continuing at the same level, Spanish Science, Innovation and Universities Minister Pedro Duque told Sputnik on Thursday

MADRID (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2019) The sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries did not affect the scientific ties between Moscow and Madrid, with the bilateral cooperation continuing at the same level, Spanish Science, Innovation and Universities Minister Pedro Duque told Sputnik on Thursday.

"It is difficult for me to answer this question [about the impact of sanctions], I have been serving as minister not so long ago. But I can say that no one asked me for help in solving problems relating to sanctions in order to work with Russia. I think, cooperation continues at the same level," Duque said.

Duque, who is Spain's first astronaut in the history, was appointed as minister of science, innovation and universities in June 2018.

Relations between Moscow and the European Union deteriorated in 2014 after Crimea's reunification with Russia and amid the crisis in eastern Ukraine. The European Union imposed restrictive measures on Russia, while Moscow responded by imposing restrictions on food imports from the countries that supported the sanctions. Russia has repeatedly stressed that it is not party to the internal conflict in Ukraine and wanted the country to overcome its political and economic crises.