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Mr Putin and Ms Merkel discussed the current bilateral cooperation agenda in various areas and the priorities for Russia’s presidency of the G20.

Following the talks, Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel made press statements and answered journalists’ questions.

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Beginning of meeting with Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Madam Federal Chancellor, colleagues and friends, I wish you all a warm welcome to St Petersburg.

I am very happy that we are continuing our dialogue at the highest level and that we are doing so on a regular basis. Thank you for finding the time to come to St Petersburg for this economic forum.

I think you have had the chance to see that this is not time lost, as there are many interesting and useful people to meet here, many interesting ideas, and it is a good platform for exchanging views. Given the extent of our cooperation, we need this kind of intensive dialogue.

Thank you very much.

Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel (translated from Russian): I for my part would like to thank you for this meeting too. 

This is the second time we are meeting this week. We agreed at the Hannover Trade Fair that I would come to the forum in St Petersburg, and I think this is all the more important this year, with Russia holding the G20 presidency.

We will continue our political dialogue here, and later we will also meet with German business leaders.

Once again, I thank you. Thank you very much.