The EC press release states that the EU has requested consultations with Russia on a number of Russian measures that restrict or prevent EU companies from selling goods and providing services to Russian state-owned enterprises and other organizations "through commercial procurement."
As believed in Brussels, this practice is contrary to the WTO rules, according to which Russia should not "discriminate against foreign companies in this area."
RIA Novosti explains that a consultation request is the first step in the WTO dispute resolution process.
Usually 60 days are given for this procedure.
If the result is not achieved, then the applicant can ask the WTO to assemble a panel of arbitrators who will consider the dispute.
The European Commission noted that since 2015, Russia has gradually expanded its import substitution policy to replace the use of foreign goods and services by some entities associated with the state.
At the same time, the economic consequences for EU companies in this case are “very significant,” the press release says.
For example, according to the EU, in 2019, state-owned enterprises announced tenders in the amount of 23.5 trillion rubles.