Brussels, 04/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - Seizing the opportunity of Catherine Ashton's trip to Russia (see above article), the confederation of European business, under the banner of BusinessEurope, expressed concern in a letter addressed on Thursday to the trade commissioner regarding new protectionist measures that the Russian government is expected to adopt in the near future. “We have very serous concerns about the draft guidelines for Russia's customs and tariff policy, which are expected to be adopted as a government decree in June 2009. These guidelines would provide a legal framework for the Russian Federation to increase customs tariffs on nearly all EU exports of manufactured goods to that market and to introduce import restrictions to protect domestic producers”, the organisation warns. BusinessEurope announces its firm opposition to a policy which, in its view, could “cause serious harm to European economic interests”. Since January this year, Moscow has adopted several direct and indirect restrictive measures that result in “significant costs” for EU exporters, the European business confederation deplores. The trade in motor vehicles, agricultural machinery, steel products, agricultural products and television screens is particularly affected. BusinessEurope recalls Russia's commitment at the G20 to resist protectionism and therefore calls on the EU to effectively respond to new measures set out within the new guidelines. (E.H./transl.jl)