Russian-German relations developing successfully - Russian FM

Russia's relations with Germany have been as good as ever, especially in the economic field, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the Diplomat magazine released on Saturday, according to the Itar- Tass news agency.

The economic cooperation between the two countries has been developing successfully and has become the pillar of bilateral relations, Lavrov said in the interview released on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Stable growth in the Russian economy is an important element of world economic development and it exercises a positive influence on the welfare of integrating a "Big Europe," Lavrov said. He drew attention to the Hanover international industrial fair, where Russia will present the biggest exposition.

In 2004, trade between Russia and Germany reached a record high of 30 billion euros, and German investors are in the lead in the volume of investments into Russia, Lavrov said.

The potential for more effective cooperation between the two countries is far from being used up, he noted.

Lavrov expressed confidence that Russia will be presented in Hanover on an impressive scale worthy of a great power.

Lavrov described the climate of Russian-German relations as that of mutual trust, equality and respect for each other's interests.

Mentioning the lessons taught by World War II, the minister said both Russia and Germany assess it from the position of historic truth, and therefore, cooperate with each other so as to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.

Source: Xinhua