'No Reason for Concern': Energy Exec Says Ukraine Crisis Not Bad for Business

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/eon-ceo-teyssen-crimea-crisis-no-danger-to-economic-ties-with-russia-a-959037.html



The political crisis between Europe and Russia continues to worsen and sanctions are coming. But Johannes Teyssen, CEO of utility giant E.on is unconcerned. He says the Moscow-Berlin partnership has promoted peace on the continent and warns against gambling it away.

'No Reason for Concern': Energy Exec Says Ukraine Crisis Not Bad for Business
An Interview by Frank Dohmen and Stefan Schultz
March 17, 2014 – 03:25 PM

~snip~

SPIEGEL: The crisis could get even worse. Sanctions are in the offing and your power plants could come under state control. The Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry has warned of possible expropriations.

Teyssen: Our company has been active in Russia for 40 years. It is a period spanning the Cold War as well as invasions of Afghanistan from both the West and the East; much tenser times than now, in other words. Our business relations have remained consistently positive throughout all those years. There was little reason for us to complain. I assume that everyone will react responsibly in the present situation as well and that the ties will remain stable.

SPIEGEL: You don't see potential problems resulting from Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and the efforts to split the region off from Ukraine? The West can't simply accept the situation.

Teyssen: Of course there is a political crisis. And I hope very much for an easing of the tensions soon. But nowhere do I see any limitations for our business. Customs, visas, imports and exports -- everything is running completely smoothly.