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YEKATERINBURG, August 15. /TASS/. Berlin has been steadily strengthening ties with the Sverdlovsk region (in the Urals), German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at a Monday meeting with Regional Governor, Yevgeny Kuyvashev.
"We know that Russia is scheduled to host the FIFA World Cup in two years’ time, and Yekaterinburg is one of the venues. Hopefully, our team will play there too," he said. "It was Viktor Koksharov, Rector of the Urals Federal University, who stirred up my interest in this region and deserves some credit that I often come here. Political, scientific and personal contacts have grown over the years."
"Today, despite the current political instability, contacts between companies continue," the governor said. Trade turnover between Germany and the region is $640 million. This is a noticeable drop compared to 2014 when it had exceeded $1 billion. Cooperation with Germany will be a priority for us," Governor Kuyvashev stated.