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Germany should keep balance between criticism, cooperation in relations with Russia

“Germany is interested in a broader strategic partnership with Russia,” German Foreign Minister noted

BERLIN, November 16 (Itar-Tass) — German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has made an appeal “to keep balance between criticism and cooperation in the relations with Russia,” which he named as “a strategic partner”. He made a statement in an interview with the radio station Deutschlandfunk on Friday before the departure to Moscow to attend the 14th round of Russian-German interstate top-level consultations.

“Just in these times, when some differences emerge in the opinions, we should not play in keeping our mouths shut, but intensify the negotiations,” the German foreign minister stated. “If we do not keep balance, we will not achieve anything, because in this case the dialogue will not continue, and then Russia will take some kind of closed position,” Westerwelle believes.

“Germany is interested in a broader strategic partnership with Russia,” the German foreign minister noted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Kremlin on Friday. The leaders of the countries are expected to discuss such most pressing problems as the escalation in the Middle East, the situation in Syria, the encroachment of Russian energy interests in Europe and democracy in Russia.

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