MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russia will always be pleased to welcome Angela Merkel, even after she steps down as German chancellor, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference after his talks with Merkel in the Kremlin on Friday.

"As you know, this visit by Ms. Merkel is so special since she is going to step down as federal chancellor after September’s parliamentary election in Germany. But I would like to say straight away that we will always be glad to give a cordial reception in Russia to Ms. Merkel as a welcomed guest," Putin revealed.

According to the president, negotiations with Merkel "were traditionally held in a constructive and businesslike atmosphere."

"We had an in-depth discussion, including with the participation of delegations, on the state of affairs and prospects for Russian-German relations and exchanged views on a quite wide range of issues," the Russian president explained.

Putin put the spotlight on the fact that Merkel had been leading the German government for 16 years, and that "is worthy of respect." She "confidently rules one of the largest and leading European countries, and is rightly among the most influential European and world leaders," he emphasized.