10 November 2015, 11:41 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The stated goal of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is to streamline the flow of goods and services across the Atlantic. The pact seeks to create the world's largest deregulated trade zone, encompassing over 60 percent of global production.
Anti-TTIP activists point out that the trade deal was negotiated in unusual secrecy, and released sections of the document clearly detail that it will benefit multinational corporations and corporate rights-holders at the expense of sovereign nations and consumers.
"The secrecy itself raises certain questions on whether it is a political step," Meshkov told reporters.
According to the official, Moscow does not understand why the negotiations are secret.
The next round of TTIP talks is planned for the beginning of 2016.
