Nov 20, 2009, 11:57 GMT
Moscow - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov received his new German counterpart, Guido Westerwelle, for talks on Friday, with the two ministers stressing their countries' interest in building on their strategic partnership.
Westerwelle had arrived earlier on his first visit to Moscow after his recent appointment as foreign minister in Germany's new coalition government. Previously he was in Afghanistan to attend Mohammed Karzai's presidential inauguration.
'There are no if's, and's or but's: We want a strategic partnership with Russia,' Westerwelle said. 'We want more than just a good trade and economic partner.'
He added that Germany's interests also included more cooperation in the fields of justice and culture and 'to deepen the friendship betwen our two peoples.'
Westerwelle was later set to meet President Dmitry Medvedev.
Amid the overall atmosphere of harmony, Lavrov had clear words for his German guest about saying anything about a new upcoming trial against Kremlin oppoinent Mikhail Khodorkovski.
Germany and Russia should have mutual respect for each other's judicial systems, Lavrov said.
The trial of Khodorkovski, the former billionaire and head of the in the meantime dismantled oil concern Yukos, was not directly discussed during the Lavrov-Westerwelle talks, sources said.
Russian media reports said Moscow is hoping above all for Germany's support in the efforts to establish a new security structure for Europe.
Other issues during Westerwelle's visit were expected to include disarmament, Iran's controversial nuclear programme and anti- terrorism efforts in Afghanistan.
Westerwelle also aimed to meet with groups critical of the Kremlin leadership during his visit.
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