"Petersburg dialogue" in Munich

The program is conducted by Dmitry Volchek. Radio Liberty correspondent in Munich, Alexander Mannheim, and professor of the European Center for Strategic Research named after George Marshall Alexander Garin, take part.

Dmitry Volchek: A three -day, ninth in a row "Petersburg dialogue" takes place in Munich. About 100 representatives of the German and Russian elite take part in this forum. Today, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev discussed the issues of Russian-German cooperation with Chancellor Angela Merkel. The “Petersburg dialogue” is monitored by the Radio Liberty correspondent in Munich Alexander Mannheim. Now he is on a direct broadcast line.

Alexander, how did you go today?

Alexander Mannhaim: According to the Angel Merkel herself, the negotiations were very intense. As one might expect, at the forefront was the search for a way out of the global economic crisis. The measures of stimulating the Russian-German trade relations were discussed, because the volume of trade between both countries was reduced in the first quarter of this year by more than 30%compared to last year. Given these problems, the German government allocated 500 million euros to stimulate trade relations. We are talking about loans to German and Russian entrepreneurs. Agreements were signed on the expansion of cooperation between Russian and German railways. Such an agreement was concluded in relation to the expansion of large airports in Russia and Germany. An agreement was also signed on the creation of a joint energy agency. Much attention was paid to the problems of the German Opel Auto Concert. The problems of security, cooperation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of both countries in the fight against crime and much more were also discussed.

Dmitry Volchek: Did they remember the tragedy in Chechnya today - the murder of Natalia Estemirova?

Alexander Mannhaim: Yes, of course. German journalists did not fail to touch on this topic. And this is how Dmitry Medvedev reacted to this question ...

Dmitry Medvedev: The murder of our human rights activist Estemirova - Of course, this is a very sad event that should get an unambiguous assessment. Perhaps, even unlike other incidents, which, unfortunately, happen, happen in the Russian Federation, one thing is obvious to me: this murder is associated with its professional activity. And its professional activity is needed for any normal state. She did very useful things, she told the truth, she openly, sometimes, could hardly evaluate some processes that occur in the country, and this is the value of human rights activists, even if they are inconvenient, unpleasant to the authorities. This is the first.

The second, of course, such crimes should not remain unpunished. This crime will be investigated in the most thorough way. Yesterday I immediately instructed our chairman of the Investigative Committee to Mr. Bastrykin so that he would take this under personal control. Today, Mr. Bastrykin is already at the crime scene and is engaged in this personally. The question is also controlled by the Prosecutor General of our country. And I am sure that the killers will be found.

As for the versions, I think that those who committed this atrocity, this crime, was counting on precisely that the most primitive and most unacceptable versions were announced to immediately. That is why, in my opinion, such crimes are committed under some events. This, if you want, is such a provocation. I am sure that this crime will be disclosed, and the persons who committed it will be punished in accordance with the Russian criminal law.

Alexander Mannhaim: So, in my opinion, in general, the meeting and press conference took place in a very constructive and benevolent atmosphere. I think you will agree.

Dmitry Volchek: I agree and note that the words of Dmitry Medvedev are not like what Vladimir Putin in the same Germany spoke about the murder of Anna Politkovskaya at one time. Then his words were shocked by many.

I spoke about the progress of Munich dialogues today with the professor of the European Center for Strategic Research named after George Marshall (this is in the city of Garmish-Parthenkirhen near Munich) Alexander Borisovich Garin.

The St. Petersburg Dialog takes place for the ninth time. Is there any reason to say that the current meeting is somehow fundamentally different from the previous ones? Were there any curious moments that you would recommend to pay attention to?

Alexander Garin: Of course, the financial crisis today is a curious moment. Therefore, it is clear that in this strategic partnership, as Germany calls German-Russian relations, we are talking about how to help itself out of this crisis situation. Therefore, this determines realism, that is, the serious side of the St. Petersburg Forum. There is another party that for experts in Saltykov-Shchedrin, of course, could be a great reason for humor, that is, the interaction of civil societies, assistance to non-governmental organizations, and so on. But this is to the side.

Here we are about strategic partnership. Of course, the real situation is that from the German side they calculate that by approximately 10-20% trade fell as a result of the financial crisis. What does it mean? This means that for Germany, which the export master actually keeps the entire European community, a huge Russian market in which Germany successfully sold its products, this market froze. And it was about how to coordinate the actions of the Russian and especially the German side to give some kind of credit line and give business (not only large, but also small) the hope that they did not interrupt the relationship between themselves, which, of course, would be bad for both sides, but especially for Germany. That is, Germany sells Siemens from the locomotives to the products of medium, small German enterprises, and this, of course, is extremely important for the German market. I'm not talking about traditional things. You asked me: what is special? This is a feature. Different agreements have been signed on this subject, credit lines. All of them serve as such an infusion in order to save the viability, including Germany.

Dmitry Volchek: In particular, an agreement was signed on the creation of an energy agency. Probably, a significant event, perhaps, should be considered against the background of a recent signing of an agreement on the construction of the Nabukko gas pipeline, for example.

Alexander Garin: No doubt. Yes, of course, Germany is such a lawyer, a master in many strategic positions, a master of reconciliation, she reconciled with France, Poland, expects to reconcile with Russia, and a master that acts with such a diplomatic quiet sapa. On the one hand, Germany, of course, shares the concern of Western Europe, as far as Russia is a reliable supplier of energy, signs “Nabukko” - in fact, it is a European, elementary diversification of various supply lines. On the other hand, this diplomatic moment is not particularly pushing, counting on constructive relationships, counting on the fact that where it is cracking at the seams, here with respect to "Nabukko", you can somehow stabilize such a joint forum.

Dmitry Volchek: Meanwhile, politicians from European countries today turned to the President of the United States Obama with an open letter, in which they asked NATO to pay more security attention in the region and confront increasing intimidation from Russia in the energy sector, by the way. These calls are addressed, of course, not only to the United States, but also to the European Union. Do German politicians hear them?

Alexander Garin: German politicians hear, but a little need to enter the position of the Germans. Still, the Germans are the ideal student of the democratic after the Second World War and at the same time the engine of the European Union economy. Therefore, the Germans chose this constructive, slow, calm line for interaction, including with Russia. They cannot take a position, so to speak, moral superiority like other countries, because their own history is very difficult. Therefore, from this side the Germans have a quiet voice. In this sense, they understand the concern of the "big" Europe, but work in their own way. This is on the one hand. On the other hand, without a doubt, if we recall the old story, also pre-revolutionary, then, of course, again, the special role of Germany for Eastern Europe is that Germany gives a civilizational model how to make a state, and at the same time an economic model, these things willingly adopt from it. Russia, if the St. Petersburg Forum was a serious event, except for the economy, of course, should have adopted a lot in the construction of institutions. All this is on paper, it is founded for this, but in reality it is, of course, a caricature.