On July 19, the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel have met in Hannover to discuss the Russian-German stance on the issues of future business development and international involvement. The meeting was the hallmark of the 11th Petersburger Dialog, a public forum held in Wolfsburg and Hannover between 17 and 19 July, 2011.

At 10am (German time) the President and the Chancellor attended the closing session of the forum. They greeted the delegates of the 11th Petersburger Dialog and participated in the moderated discussion on the results of working groups and panels at the forum. This final session was expected to also present a discussion on the problems of intergovernmental dialogue between the two countries.

Medvedev and Merkel met briefly on Monday evening and have had a breakfast together on Tuesday, attended by business representatives.

Angela Merkel's spokesperson, Steffen Seibert mentioned that the heads of two states were going to discuss the position of Russia and Germany in Libya conflict, the future of business intergration, and recent developments in the eurozone.

The meeting comes a week after the German utility RWE AG and the Russian Gazprom have announced that they were in talks to launch a joint venture for building and operating new power plants in various parts of Europe.

Other topic is likely to be the construction of the section of the Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea. Due to problems in its talks with Turkey, Moscow may decide to freeze the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline. Kommersant Daily reports that "with Germany’s support the deliveries could be shifted through Bord Stream".

Furthermore, there is a hope to strengthen the common ground as to the relationship with NATO. Earlier this month Germany has assumed presidency of the UN Security Council. Germany is expected to be a Russian ally as far as the missile-defense system is concerned. Russia advocates the joint missile-defense system for entire Europe. There is a fear in Moscow that the NATO-only missile-defense system could be used against Russia.

Germany and Russia have also united in their refusal to authorise NATO's actions in Libya. Both countries are seeking to find a peaceful resolution to the Libyan conflict.

Source:

Associated Press, Yahoo! Finance, Petersburger Dialog, FOCUS IA, Russia Today.