Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin stressed that both states support the plan for Syria proposed by UN special envoy Kofi Annan. The “Annan Plan” provides for cooperation on the political process, a ceasefire, access for humanitarian organisations, the release of political prisoners, freedom of movement for journalists and freedom of assembly and the right to demonstrate in Syria.

The United Nations Security Council must work tirelessly to have this plan translated into practice, declared the Chancellor.

Talks also touched on bilateral relations and relations between the EU and Russia.

Economic cooperation to be fostered

The two heads of state praised the excellent economic cooperation between their two states and announced that German-Russian government consultations would be continued in October in Kazan.

Germany is particularly interested in supporting Russia in its efforts to modernise its industry.

The Chancellor recalled that the volume of German-Russian trade rose by 29 percent between 2010 and 2011, and that the upward trend continues. The Nord Stream gas pipeline, which was originally planned as a German-Russian project, has today become a European venture. Vladimir Putin added that before the end of the year Russian gas from the pipeline will be reaching German consumers and that planning work has begun on a second line.

The Chancellor again rejects eurobonds

When asked about eurobonds, the Chancellor replied that "sound reforms are the key to making Europe more competitive". Growth and sound finances go hand in hand. In Germany there will be no government bonds issued jointly by the federal and state governments, although some highly indebted federal states would like to see “Germanybonds” of this sort. Angela Merkel stressed that Germany will do all it can to ensure that the euro remains a stable currency.

The Russian President underscored that fact that there is no general consensus on what precisely eurobonds would be, what would be offered, who would issue them and on what terms. It would also be important to specify who would be liable if other countries fail to meet eurobond commitments. "We have a major interest in ensuring that the European economy operates smoothly," stressed Vladimir Putin.

Strengthening civil society in Russia

Civil society in Russia and developments in civil society were also on the agenda.

Angela Merkel made it clear that Germany is interested in seeing democratic diversity in Russia develop further. This is essential if a "genuinely strong civil society that can support the country’s development is to emerge".

2012/2013 Germany Year in Russia and Russia Year in Germany

The Chancellor announced that 2012/2013 will see a Germany Year in Russia and a Russia Year in Germany.

Germany will be organising more than 1,000 special events in over 50 Russian towns. There will also be a large-scale joint exhibition project entitled “Germans and Russians – 1,000 Years of History, Art and Culture”.

Bilateral trade between Germany and Russia is a major success story. Germany accounts for 8.7 percent of Russia’s foreign trade, making it Russia’s second most important trading partner. Only China trades more with Russia (accounting for 10.2 percent of the country’s foreign trade). In 2011 the volume of foreign trade rose by 29 percent over the previous year, reaching the 75 billion euro mark. German exports to Russia rose by 31 percent, while imports from Russia rose by 27 percent. Russia’s most important exports were raw materials, especially oil and gas, as well as metallurgical and petrochemical products. Germany’s exports are mainly machinery and plant (21 percent), vehicles and parts (21 percent), electronic and electrotechnical products (15 percent) and chemical products (9 percent).