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The Chief of Staff of Russia’s Presidential Executive Office Sergei Naryshkin was in Berlin on a working visit on May 30–31. Within the framework of regular working consultations between the chiefs of staff of Russia’s Presidential Executive Office and Germany’s Federal Chancellery in effect since 2004, Mr Naryshkin held talks with Chief of Staff of the German Chancellery and Federal Minister for Special Affairs Ronald Pofalla.

One of the key topics addressed in the talks was the development of political dialogue at the highest level and the implementation of agreements reached during Dmitry Medvedev and Angela Merkel’s meeting on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Deauville.

During the conversation with Ronald Pofalla, a great deal of attention was also given to preparations for the next round of Russian-German top-level interstate consultations in Hanover in July of this year.

Sergei Naryshkin noted the progress in developing cultural and humanitarian ties between Russia and Germany: May marked the launch of the Russian-German Year of Education, Science and Innovation, aimed to give new momentum to cooperation in these areas. Also, in 2012–2013, the Year of Russia will be held in Germany and the Year of Germany will be held in Russia.

Sergei Naryshkin emphasised that this project is being given great significance because it aims to introduce the residents of the two nations to modern Russia and modern Germany. “Together, we have come a long way, and it is important for people to know each other even better and for the project to result in the strengthening of ties between the citizens of both nations, especially young people,” Chief of Staff of Russia’s Presidential Executive Office noted.

At the Federal Chancellery of Germany, Sergei Naryshkin discussed cooperation in the trade and economic sector, strengthening energy security, and some of the most pressing international issues: the partnership between Russia and the European Union overall, as well as the upcoming Russia-EU summit in Nizhny Novgorod.

During the meeting, the politicians touched on regional problems in the Middle East and North Africa. “We shared Russia and Germany’s positions on developments in these parts of the world,” Sergei Naryshkin concluded.

These latest consultations with the head of Germany’s Federal Chancellery were held in the traditionally trust-based, constructive tone. The outcomes of the talks fully reflect the common positive picture of Russian-German strategic partnership, the head of the Russian Presidential Executive Office emphasised.