Putin, Schroeder Address Petersburg Forum on Bilateral TiesRussian President Vladimir Putin on Monday called for a real, not ostentatious, partnership between Russia and Germany, saying the good-neighborliness policy should take root in both peoples' minds.Addressing the two-day Petersburg Forum that opened in St. Petersburg on Monday, Putin said that such a broad forum would help the two sides reach common decisions on important problems, the Itar-tass reported. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, heading a high-level delegation, arrived in St. Petersburg on Monday for the forum as well as summit consultations with Putin. Speaking to politicians, parliamentarians, scientists, cultural figures and journalists from both countries, Putin believed "the decline in relations between Russia and Germany has been overcome" and the two countries have taken an important step forward. He stressed the need to build long-term bilateral relations with a focus on economic projects. He also said Russia and Germany should determine "the potential of our cooperation". "We expect concrete proposals in various areas from the forum," Putin said. Its work will be helped by the fact that contacts between the two countries are maintained not only at the level of their leaders or ministers, but also at the level of economic and banking structures. Schroeder told the forum that his country and Europe as a whole are ready to give a hand to Russia wherever they can. He said at the opening ceremony of the forum that relations between Russia and Germany are developing dynamically, adding that the two countries are partners in the fields of politics, security and economy. Direct contacts like the Petersburg Forum should be used for expanding ties in all areas between the civil societies of the two countries, he added. The Chancellor believed that the Petersburg Dialogue should contribute to the strengthening of the German-Russian partnership and "instill it into the minds and hearts of people". The forum, initiated by Schroeder, will be held once every year with the aim to promote bilateral contacts and understanding between Russia and Germany at all levels. Putin and Schroeder are scheduled to meet Tuesday on the Balkan situation, conversion of Russian debt to Germany as well as Germany's demand for the return of art pieces taken by the Soviet Union after the second world war. |
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