Official website of the President of Russia

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The message reads, in part:

“For many years the Petersburg Forum has been a crucial channel of people’s diplomacy in Russia-Germany relations. This inclusive forum, which unites members of parliament, public and religious leaders, academics, people of culture and the arts, journalists and businesspeople, rightly enjoys considerable respect in both our countries.

Under the current complicated international conditions, maintaining direct contacts between broad circles of civic societies acquires a special significance. Informal opinion exchanges serve to overcome mistrust, prejudices and stereotypes, to help preserve the positive potential of partnership and cooperation that Russians and Germans have been building for decades.

I expect that your discussion will produce new interesting ideas and outline promising areas of joint work for the benefit of our nations.”