Putin thanks Bavarian PM for efforts to normalize Russia-Germany relations
NOVO-OGARYOVO. Feb 3 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the special nature of the relations between Russia and Bavaria and thanked Horst Seehofer, the Prime Minster of Germany's Bavaria region, for his efforts towards normalization of relations with Russia.
"We have some special relations with Bavaria. The volumes of trade and economic ties are quite big," Putin said when speaking at the meeting with the Bavarian PM on Wednesday.
"You and us, we bear enormous responsibility for the maintenance of jobs, the maintenance of cultural ties. We know your attitude and desire to do all things possible to normalize Russia-Europe, Russia-Germany relations and certainly, we appreciate this," Putin said.
Seehofer said, for his part, that Bavaria is affected by the events of global politics, including Syrian, Ukrainian events, problems of refugees in Europe and crime.
"We are convinced that all of this can only be solved by acting in concert, not in conflict," he said.
"We want to do all this not against our federal government but together with it and not against Russia but, where possible, together with Russia," Seehofer said.
In reply, Putin remarked that he had a telephone conversation the day before with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "As far as I understood, she is supportive of relations between regions of Russia and Germany," he said.