The Shared Future of Russia and Germany

16:39, December 23, 2012

Prof., Dr. h.c. Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered a lecture for UrFU students

"This is a person who played a key role in the foreign policy of Germany, was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor of Germany. He gave new momentum to the development of the German-Russian relationship", said UrFU Rector Viktor Koksharov, introducing German politician Prof. Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the audience.  His lecture was organized as a part of the IV German-Russian Forum "Energy efficient technologies for modernisation of communal infrastructure facilities“.

The lecturer expressed his views on the future development of German-Russian relationship which at the moment can't be called absolutely untroubled. He also tried to explain the reasons for the existing alienation between the two countries: "German and Russian media noticed that at the "Year of Germany in Russia" opening ceremony certain tension was felt.  Both sides put a lot of effort in preparing this event, but none of the countries' leaders were present at the ceremony.  A few weeks ago there were German-Russian intergovernmental consultations held in Moscow which had a sobering effect: the dialogue somehow seemed chilly, the results -uncertain, there wasn't much interest shown.  I think a good relationship should look a bit different".

Frank-Walter Steinmeier also said that the EU and Germany in particular are generally worried about the way Russian domestic policy is progressing: the way the opposition is treated, some judicial decisions.  The lecturer predicted that in the future Russia, Germany and other European countries will lose their power in the sphere of world economy.  "The only sensible thing to do is to face the future challenges together.  If Germany, Russia and the EU don't cooperate, we are unlikely to accomplish that", the German professor said.

Prof. Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visits to UrFU present a great opportunity for students and teachers to get in touch with this distinguished German politician and discuss burning issues with him. Prof.Steinmeier also put forward an interesting initiative: to organize a German-Russian discussion platform, in March 2013 - at UrFU and at the end of April - in Germany.

The discussion will involve people from various social and age groups. Working together, they will be able to brainstorm a development scenario for German-Russian relations until 2030.  The list of participants will be well-balanced - 10 people from each side.  The discussion results will be presented to the public by June 2013.