Russia to become Europe's largest Internet market – minister

Russia will soon become the largest Internet market in Europe, Russian Communications Minister Igor Shchegolev said on Friday.

"Today we are Europe's second [largest] market. At current growth rates we are set to become the number one European market," the minister was quoted by the RIA Novosti as telling reporters during a conference in Paris.

Russia boasts the highest Internet audience growth rates and has 50 million Internet users, just behind Germany, he said.