Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Germany on a working visit. During his visit, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the largest in Europe agricultural fair, Internationale Gruene Woche (International Green Week), met with top managers of European gas companies and held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Also Vladimir Putin was awarded the Order of Saxon Gratitude during a ceremony at the State Opera. Than he met with the leadership of the German Council for the Promotion of the Federal Child Haematology, Oncology and Immunology Centre and met with the chief editors of leading German media outlets.
The Russian Government will provide full funding for research into the use of nanotechnology in the defence sector, Mr Ivanov said when opening the meeting.
Events for 15 january 2009
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s interview with German Television’s Channel One ARD
"The main thing, however, is that Europe and Russia undoubtedly have a common future. We should recognize that natural interdependence, build our relations for the long term on understandable principles, and respect each other's interests. If we do so, all of Greater Europe will be prosperous and competitive in today's complicated world."
"When we develop measures to support the military-industrial complex, we proceed from its special significance for Russian security and for the technological development of our economy and industry. In the last few years we have seen a marked increase in the supply of our armed forces with new weapons, special military equipment, spare parts and other essential hardware."
"We must not look for the guilty party now, but do something to ensure gas transits. We propose that our main European partners share the transit risks with us. We could form an international consortium that would buy the required amount of gas for Ukraine from Gazprom and dispatch it to Ukraine for ensuring gas transit to Europe."
Events for 14 january 2009
"We have met the European Commission's proposals halfway and signed a relevant contract on controlling transit. You know it well. We are, however, disappointed about the way it is being carried out, or rather not being carried out by our Ukrainian partners."
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov
During the meeting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Igor Chudinov, discussed cooperation between the ministries of Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
