Merkel in Russia to soothe tensions
Thursday, 02 Oct 2008 09:43
Angela Merkel in talks with Dmitry Medvedev today
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German chancellor Angela Merkel will meet Russian president Dmitry Medvedev in St Petersburg today in an attempt to heal tense EU-Russian relations.
Russia counts Germany among its closest EU allies because of their strong trading links, but the two countries must work out their differences after Moscow's military intervention in the Georgian province of South Ossetia in August.
That left Russia isolated in the international community and the EU divided on how to respond. Some countries like Britain preferred a confrontational approach, but Germany was among those preferring to keep the lines of communication open.
Ms Merkel will be joined by numerous senior German cabinet ministers who will meet with their Russian counterparts. But Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, will not be attending according to the Moscow Times.
"He does not like to partake in discussions that promise to be difficult and where he cannot speak with the tone he likes to use," Alexei Malashenko of the Carnegie Centre in Moscow was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
The Reuters news agency said the Kremlin expected the meeting to confirm "the stability and maturity of the Russia-Georgian partnership" and that an "open exchange of opinions on the ways to restore solid peace and stability to the region" would take place.