Angela Merkel toured the trade show on Monday morning with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia is the partner country of this year’s Hannover Messe.

The evening before, the Chancellor and her Russian visitor had met to discuss in depth, "all aspects of bilateral contacts and international politics," reported Angela Merkel. During this meeting the situation inside Russia too was discussed, specifically the controls on non-governmental organisations and German political foundations.

At a joint press conference following their tour of the trade show, Vladimir Putin offered his assurances that the intention was not to interfere in the work of these organisations. "We do not control anybody," he stressed. Nobody wants to restrict their work. Only the financing of activities is to be disclosed.

Continued concern about German foundations

The Chancellor nevertheless expressed her concern that these actions could, "give rise to fears and apprehension that the non-governmental organisations will not be able to develop as they would like". She once again stressed that Germany advocates, "a robust development of civil society with a large number of non-governmental organisations". Angela Merkel thus reiterated a key message of her opening speech on Sunday.

The important thing is that Russian non-governmental organisations, German political foundations and the Goethe-Institut are able to, "work well and freely" and, "act without fear of interventions". Of course it is, "an intrusion and an intervention" if hard disks are simply controlled, "although as far as we know the work of these foundations is beyond reproach," stated the Chancellor unequivocally with respect to the raids on the premises of these organisations before Easter.

In favour of vibrant civil society

She believes that a vibrant civil society can only emerge when individual organisations, "can operate with fear or anxiety – naturally in compliance with the law of the land, that is the same everywhere in the world". They should, "have the impression that they are welcome, that pluralism is welcome and that differences of opinion and positions too are welcome," Angela Merkel continued.

The Chancellor is convinced that motivated individuals who also work to achieve economic progress should, "also be self-assured individuals who have their own opinions about their society. And this includes pluralism among the press, and a wide and diverse civil society," she stressed.

Exchange of views on foreign-policy issues

The Chancellor and her Russian visitor also discussed international crises at their meeting on Sunday evening. Chancellor Angela Merkel underscored the fact that Germany and Russia are very much in agreement that the international community must respond resolutely, while endeavouring to deescalate North Korea’s provocations. It is important for "the international community to present a common front as far as possible". Russia and China have a particularly important part to play here.

The positions of the two countries on Syria remain divergent. Germany remains firmly convinced that everything possible must be done to achieve a political solution and "prevent more bloodshed". It has hitherto proved impossible to launch a political process with Russia though.