Germany remains one of the main trade and economic partners of Russia in Europe and the world. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday before the start of talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Kremlin.
“I would like to note that Germany remains one of the main partners for us, both in Europe and in the world as a whole. In particular, thanks to your efforts over the past 16 years as Federal Chancellor. the second trade and economic partner after China. Despite the fact that in 2020 we had a rather serious recession, now there is almost a twofold increase in trade turnover in the first six months, “Putin said. The President of the Russian Federation also noted the work of Russian-German bilateral mechanisms, groups and forums, including the holding of the Year of Germany in Russia, associated with economic development.
The Russian leader is confident that Merkel’s visit to Russia will be not just a farewell as chancellor, but also filled with serious, business-like content. Before the talks in the Kremlin, the Russian leader presented Merkel with a bouquet of flowers.
“Now the Year of Germany in Russia is taking place, a year associated with economic development. We are constantly in telephone contact. We have many questions that require discussion in a personal format, so I am sure that this will not only be a farewell visit, connected with with your decision not to be elected further as Federal Chancellor, but also a visit filled with serious, business-like content, “Putin said, addressing the German Chancellor.
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Google News!During the minutes of the conversation, there were some overlaps. At the moment when Putin was talking about Russian-German contacts in different directions, and his words were being translated into German, Merkel began to send signals from her mobile phone. She took it out of her pocket and switched something. This did not become a hitch for the conversation, the President of the Russian Federation continued his speech.
Negotiations between the leaders of Russia and Germany
Putin and Merkel on August 20 began negotiations in Moscow. The conversation takes place in the Green Room of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Before the talks, the German Chancellor laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov are also taking part in the meeting in a restricted format from the Russian side, and from the German side – the official representative of the government Steffen Seibert and the head of the Foreign and Security Policy Group of the Federal Chancellor’s Office Uta Christina Beinhoff. After the protocol part, the negotiations will continue behind closed doors.
As previously reported by the Kremlin press service, the leaders of Russia and Germany are planning to discuss the state and prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in various fields, as well as consider a number of topical international and regional issues. The German side, in turn, clarified that the meeting will discuss the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the situation around Belarus, the situation in Afghanistan, as well as the topic of Nord Stream 2.
The last time Putin and Merkel met in person on January 19, 2020 in Berlin at an international conference on Libya. During the coronavirus pandemic, the leaders spoke on the phone several times, the last such conversation took place on July 21. Merkel’s current visit to Russia was the nineteenth and probably the last in this position, since she will not be running for the post of chancellor in the parliamentary elections upcoming in September.
Source:russiadaily.news/