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The Petersburg Dialogue Russian-German Civic Forum is a permanent bilateral civic cooperation organisation that holds annual meetings alternately in Russia and Germany.

The main subject chosen for this year’s meeting, the seventh, is ‘European Unity – the Russian and German contribution’. The discussions focused above all on increasing the part played by civil society, including by young people, cultural figures and churches, in forming a common European space of mutual understanding and cooperation.

Addressing the Forum, Mr Putin said that rapprochement between civil society in different countries is absolutely essential in today’s world.

The President said he hoped that the ideas and proposals that come out of the Petersburg Dialogue Forum’s work will also contribute towards developing the partnership between Russia and the European Union.

Mr Putin welcomed the wide range of subjects chosen for discussion at Wiesbaden, noting that this year’s agenda includes an important new subject: the role of churches and religion in relations between Russia and Germany.

The President assured the audience that, following parliamentary and presidential elections in Russia, the new authorities would continue the policy of cooperation with Germany and Europe.