27 February 2003 00:00
ON RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN'S TALKS WITH FEDERAL CHANCELLOR OF THE FRG GERHARD SCHROEDER
Russia permits transportation of German military cargo through its territory for the performance of the FRG's peacekeeping function in Afghanistan, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting in the Kremlin with Germany's Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder. Specialists must now agree on details of a pertinent legal document, but the decision has already been taken.
Vladimir Putin confirmed the interest and willingness of Russia to fulfill its obligations as part of the antiterrorist coalition. Therefore Russia has decided to make this "unprecedented" step and allow the land transportation.
However the central theme of the talks was the situation around Iraq. Putin expressed gratitude to his interlocutor for his prompt arrival in Moscow to discuss the Iraqi problem. "Now that the United Nations Security Council is discussing the most acute question - the situation in Iraq - the stand of Germany is very important for us," noted the Russian President.
Vladimir Putin said he intends to inform Gerhard Schroeder of the recent trip made to Iraq by Yevgeny Primakov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The international situation, Gerhard Schroeder noted in his turn, compels a direct exchange of views, and he is interested in receiving information from Russia, including on Yevgeny Primakov's trip, and is ready to state his own thoughts.
Vladimir Putin and Gerhard Schroeder will meet in St. Petersburg this April, when the St. Petersburg 300th anniversary celebration and a G8 Summit are planned.
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