Relations between Russia and the Netherlands are developing dynamically in deepening the partnership. Recent history is full of bilateral political contacts contacts at the highest levels , including meetings " on the margins " of international events
The major direction of bilateral relations - trade, economic and investment cooperation . By the results of 2012 the volume of Russian - Dutch turnover increased in comparison with 2011 by 20.6 % and amounted to 82.7 billion dollars As a result, the Netherlands took the first place among foreign trade partners of Russia in Europe and the second (after China ) - in world. The positive balance of trade with Russia in the Netherlands in 2012 amounted to 70.8 billion dollars
In the Netherlands is exported , mainly minerals and fuels ( 87.8 % of total exports ) , as well as metals . Imported from the Netherlands , primarily machinery and equipment ( 36.5 % of total imports ), foodstuffs and agricultural products (29.5% ) and chemical products ( 24.9 %).
Investment cooperation between Russia and the Netherlands shows a steady positive trend. Since 2002 , the Netherlands has a more than tenfold increase investments in the Russian economy and take on this ) second only place in the world after Cyprus .
In Russia, opened more than 300 offices of the Dutch firms , and the number of enterprises with the participation of the Dutch capital has exceeded 800 . Concerns " Shell " and " Unilever " with Dutch capital involved in the work of the Advisory Council on Foreign Investments in the Russian Federation Government .
Effective tool enhancing business relations - The Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation ( CMEC ) , co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Arkady Dvorkovich (June 2012) and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands L.Plumen (from January 2013 ) .
The most significant events of the last period , related to the activities of the Commission - the opening of Russia's first liquefaction plant natural gas on Sakhalin Island in February 2009 , a ceremony in Vyborg in April 2010 , dedicated to the start of construction of the North European Gas Pipeline , a visit in May 2010, on the Yamal Peninsula representative delegation of Dutch businessmen interested in developing oil and gas fields of the Yamal region - Kara Sea .
Since 2005, the Russian initiated by the Joint Business Council ( "Russian- Dutch dialogue on trade and economic cooperation " ) . Under its aegis, " captains " Dutch business met with Putin in 2007 in Moscow and Medvedev in 2009 in Amsterdam. In November 2012 at the initiative of the " Amount" in Moscow formed the Association of Russian- Dutch business cooperation.
The most important area of cooperation is energy. In September 2009, "Lukoil " has acquired 45% stake in the refinery "Total Raffinaderey Nederland " located at g.Flissingen . In August 2010, an agreement was signed between "Gazprom export" and the operating company " TAKA Energy " on construction in the Netherlands near g.Bergermeera Europe's largest underground gas storage .
Fundamental importance for the energy security of Europe have no connection between "Gazprom " and " Gasunie " , primarily , their interaction in the construction of the pipeline "Nord Stream" . In June 2010, between these companies signed program of scientific and technical cooperation for 2010-2012 and a new Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation . In March 2011, established the Coordinating Council of the Russian and Dutch representatives.
Active cooperation has been established in the field of agriculture. Dutch exports to Russia are increasing livestock , breeding poultry and hatching eggs ; implementing joint ; projects in pig breeding , the creation in Russia of modern incubators and greenhouses .
Positive trend for cooperation in the field of high technology and innovation. Promising directions here are polymer and nanoelectronics , nanomaterials , medical nanodiagnostics . Created four joint research laboratory on the basis of parity funding. Being implemented innovative project to develop and manufacture in Russia of high-tech medical equipment between NIPK "Electron" and concern " Phillips " . Dutch research centers are invited to cooperate in the field of basic and applied research .
Developing cooperation in the fields of science, technology and higher education . Successfully operating Russian- Dutch Committee for cooperation in scientific research; most progress in the four joint laboratories for long-term programs : membrane technology , optical chemical sensors , medical nanodiagnostics , nanocomposites and hybrid coating. Since 2009, in Moscow operates Dutch Education Center (NESO-Russia). Established direct partnerships between a number of Russian and Dutch universities.
