Russia calls on Germany to help it modernize its economy

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev on Thursday called on German companies to become more involved in modernizing Russia's economy, during a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Merkel took second visit to Yekaterinburg (in the Urals, central Russia) is clarified to require the murder of Russian activist Natalia Estemirova human rights, perpetrated a year ago and had shocked the world.

But the economy was the main focus of the interviews between the two leaders, regardless of the "Petersburg Dialogue", a discussion forum devoted to the development of bilateral relations, especially trade.

"I hope that German companies have long experience in this field in this endeavor" of modernization in Russia, said Medvedev told businessmen from both countries, highlighting the restructuring of companies in Germany after the reunification of the country in 1990.

Medvedev invited German companies to invest in Russian companies, which have so far low foreign participation.

"I hope that German companies involved in the modernization of the companies which are interested in, considering my decision to reduce the number of strategic companies," he said.

Medvedev announced in June that the number of Russian companies deemed "strategic", and in which the state was obliged to hold a stake would be reduced by 80%, opening the door to greater foreign participation in the Russian economy .

"Given the association strategy in the economic area, I think the prospects in this area are not too bad," Medvedev said on the other hand, Merkel met for the fifth time in so far this year.

The "strategic alliance" between Russia and Germany should include railways, aviation and energy industries, according to the Kremlin.

These agreements include an agreement between the Russian railway company RZD and the German industrial group Siemens, for a total of 2,800 million dollars and the delivery of 200 regional trains.

Merkel traveled to Russia together with 25 large German companies as part of a tour that will continue in China and Kazakhstan.

Germany is Russia's largest trading partner, and both countries are partners in the Nord Stream pipeline project, which will unite under the Baltic Sea and will supply Russian gas to Europe.