16 Jul 2009 17:54

Russia, Germany set up joint energy agency, sign series of agreements

MUNICH. July 16 (Interfax) - Russia and Germany on Thursday set up a joint energy agency.

The foundation and registration documents for the Russian-German Energy Agency (RuDEA) were signed in the presence of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel after talks between the two leaders.

In addition, seven agreements were signed in the presence of Medvedev and Merkel.

They included an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation, a joint declaration signed by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and German Economics and Technology Minister Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, and a memorandum of understanding on a project to renovate Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg signed by the Russian city's administration, Russian banks VTB and VTB Capital, and German company Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.

Russian Railways , Russian company Sinara Group and German-based engineering conglomerate Siemens signed an agreement on intent to set up a joint venture in Russia to manufacture new-generation locomotives.

Russian Railways, German national railway company Deutsche Bahn, the Higher School of Management of St. Petersburg State University, the European Business School, and the St. Petersburg State University of Railway Communications signed a general agreement to set up a center for international logistics and supplies networks management.

Russia's Vnesheconombank and German state-owned bank Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW) signed a framework agreement to finance equipment supplies to Russia.

KfW and Russian banks also exchanged six loan agreements as part of a Russian-German initiative to support small- and medium-scale business, the APEX refinancing program, and the International Climate Initiative of the German Environment Ministry.

There is also a plan to sign one more accord on the fringes of the summit - a memorandum on intent by the Russian and German interior ministries to collaborate more closely in fighting particularly dangerous crimes.

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