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At the meeting, they discussed the investigation into the crash of a Tu-154 Russian airliner over Germany. The President recounted his telephone conversation the day before with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, during which the German leader promised to do everything possible for an objective investigation of the tragedy and said that Germany was ready to conduct joint work with Russian colleagues and give any assistance to the victims’ relatives arriving in Germany.

Vladimir Putin asked about the causes of the tragedy and steps to organise further work, including with German colleagues. Sergei Frank said that the Russian commission set up to investigate the tragedy had already started its work at the crash site and that it would thoroughly analyse the accident with due consideration given to the data of the airplane flight recorders. The minister told the President that the relatives would be given assistance and provided with transport.

Vladimir Putin and Sergei Frank also discussed the development of strategic elements of the Russian transport infrastructure. The minister told the President that, in keeping with presidential instructions, an auto ferry would operate between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad by the end of the year, and railway traffic would be opened in 2004.