The Russian-Belarusian oil standoff in early January has revived Europeans' mistrust of Russia as a reliable partner. At the same time, some politicians in new EU members have been doing their best to set the EU against Russia. Estonia adopted a law on the demolition of Soviet war memorials, which amounted to the rehabilitation of Nazi SS fighters. Poland has not lifted its veto of EU-Russia talks on a new basic treaty of cooperation.
Despite that, the Sochi meeting passed off in a friendly atmosphere. The two leaders have brought their countries' positions closer together, although they have not settled all differences. Germany will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2007, and so EU-Russian relations were at the top of the two leaders' agenda in Sochi.
Germany and Russia understand each other well, yet Russia and the EU need to coordinate quite a few things. Germany, as the current EU leader, will have to find a compromise suiting both sides, and it is the country best suited for doing this.
Shortly before the visit, Merkel hinted that Germany, just like the majority of the EU member states, views energy and other types of partnership with Russia as a precondition for stability and prosperity in Europe. By using her visit to Sochi to facilitate partnership with Russia, she has proved to be a mature international politician.
Problems with the Druzhba oil pipeline and the European Commission's plan of reducing the EU's dependence on energy imports revived public interest in energy supply and, on a broader scale, energy security. Putin and Merkel have discussed the issue in Sochi and agreed that their positions on it mostly coincide.
The Russian-German project of building a gas pipeline along the bottom of the Baltic Sea (Nord Stream) offers one of the best ways to prevent potential stoppages in Russian gas supplies to the EU. All sides (including possibly Poland) understand this now.
Russia supports the European Commission's idea of saving energy and converting to renewable energy. The EU's energy demand will grow even if all of the above measures are taken, whereas the production of non-renewable energy cannot be increased endlessly, especially because not only the EU but also Russia's Asian neighbors want their share of Russian energy supplies.
The idea of slowing down, and even curtailing, the nuclear industry in Germany looks sound but has provoked a mixed reaction among Germans.
The agenda of the Putin-Merkel meeting also included issues related to Germany's presidency of the G8 in 2007. The Group's influence in the world, as well as its responsibility, has grown immeasurably since it was established 17 years ago. German leaders will have to ensure that the huge potential of the G8 is used wisely to benefit the international community as a whole.
However, success in this undertaking is not assured unless Russia supports Germany.
In fact, the Sochi meeting was a kind of G8 baton-passing designed to ensure continuity. This is why Putin and Merkel exchanged views on basic international issues, such as the non-proliferation of WMD, the fight against terrorism, the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East, the solution of the Kosovo problem in accordance with international law, and the global economic outlook.
The meeting showed that Russia and Germany think alike, which is a good sign for the world.
The Russian and German leaders have long been working together in this businesslike manner, as colleagues doing a common job in the name of a common goal. Their friendly meeting in Sochi has proved that their views coincide on many issues, which should promote stability in Europe and the rest of the world.
Sochi hopes to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, and the fact that it has become a venue of successful summits may improve its chances.
Igor Maksimychev is senior research fellow at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial board.
