Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen,

We are very glad to welcome once again, the federal chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Gerhard Schroeder, to Moscow. On this occasion, our talks and meetings with representatives of Russian and German business circles were dedicated, of course, primarily to the development of bilateral economic co-operation.

Business partnership between our countries has been developing consistently over the last few years. Bilateral trade in the first quarter of this year increased by 14% in comparison to the same period in 2003. Above all, this means improved production co-operation and joint participation in investment programmes.

We have recently launched projects that need comprehensive and long-term approaches, and, if need be, state support. I mean the development of co-operation in the energy sphere. And the best example of our willingness to work in this sphere is the joint declaration on expanding bilateral business ties in the energy sphere.

We attach great significance to developing ties in the information technology, aviation and space spheres, as well as the banking sector. I would like to point to the intentions of a Russian space instrument-making institute to set up a joint enterprise with its French and German partners to design modern space equipment. The first steps in this area have already been taken. In the near future, we intend to hold an energy summit involving leading companies and forums from the hi-tech sphere.

Moreover, the next inter-state consultations at the highest level are scheduled to take place in Hamburg in the autumn.

At today’s meeting, the federal chancellor and I discussed issues on the agenda of bilateral relations. Russia and Germany believe that contacts in the humanitarian and cultural sphere must be consistently expanded and diversified, while youth exchanges should be energetically promoted.

We shall develop our relations in international affairs, and co-operation in international organisations. If we return to our main subject, I would like to say that, obviously, the content and dynamics of our trade and economic relations largely determine the work of Russian and German businessmen. They know how to work well and we shall do everything possible to help them in their activities.

Thank you very much.

Gerhard Schroeder: I would like to highlight the basis for this dynamic and friendly co-operation between Russia and Germany. The basis for this co-operation is mutual trust, which is founded on joint views and visions with regard to various issues of international politics, and the economic and political stability that Russia has achieved owing to the reforms implemented by President Putin. The strategic partnership between our two countries facilitates the establishment of close relations between Russia and the European Union. This helps both sides. Favourable economic development and the maintenance of peace can only be achieved if close relations are established. This is impossible without close relations between Russia and the EU. And Germany in this context is ready to take responsibility within the framework of this co-operation. There are two aspects that simplify economic co-operation between Russia and Germany. The German economy will remain here not only when the sun shines, like today, but when it is raining. Not only is the German economy interested in close co-operation with Russia, especially in energy supplies from Russia, but the German economy and Germany in general have recognised that greater co-operation in high technologies, modern services, in the banking sphere, pension and trade is in both nations’ interests.

The forthcoming inter-governmental consultations in Hamburg this autumn show that we, with all our interest in developing our economic relations, should not lose sight of two things. Firstly, young people. Youth exchanges should be raised to a worthy level and this is a particular interest of the Russian president. Secondly, this means close co-operation in the cultural sphere, which is clearly illustrated by the Year of Russian Culture in Germany and the Year of German Culture in Russia. This is not merely a supplement to economic and political co-operation: we know that out past co-operation can develop, if co-operation between our countries in the cultural sphere also develops in a worth manner.