OREANDA-NEWS The European Union plans to include Russia in the gray list of countries for tax purposes, "Vedomosti" reported, citing a source close to the government.

The gray list includes countries that promote tax abuses. The source called the activities of the special administrative region (SAR) in the Far East, known as the "Russian offshore", the reason for the possible decision of the EU.

The EU demanded that Russia bring taxation in line with the recommendations of the European Union by December 31, 2022. Moscow and Brussels are discussing the problems that have arisen, the source added. The first deputy head of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Alexei Chepa believes that the decision will not have serious consequences.

"Free economic zones exist in all countries: in the USA, in the UK, and in others. They are created in order for domestic investment programs to contribute to the development of the region, in which the country and its economy are interested. This does not mean that we are going to develop this economic zone in the Far East in order to launder ill-earned money or create loopholes for international capital," the parliamentarian said.

"I think it's not serious, we are not violating any international obligations here and we act within the framework of our internal interests. I think that this decision will be forgotten, because it does not bear any real consequences», Chepa added.