Medvedev, Merkel to discuss Russia-EU ties, Mideast, North Africa

HANOVER, July 19 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss at summit talks on Tuesday
relations between Russia and the European Union, as well as the situation
in the Middle East and in North Africa.
"The Hannover summit will focus on European security, including the
creation of a missile defence shield in Europe, the Russia-NATO Council,
the problems in the development of Russian-EU relations among a broader
scope of international issues, which are debated regularly at
Russian-German political negotiations," Russian president's aide Sergei
Prikhodko said on Monday.
Focusing on European problems, Prikhodko noted that "Dmitry Medvedev
will ask Angela Merkel about her position on the financial situation in
several EU countries."
Besides, the leaders will discuss "the development of the situation in
countries of North Africa and the Middle East and several other regional
problems, including the Middle East peace process and the Iranian nuclear
program." "Germany's presidency in the UN Security Council this July makes
the negotiations particularly topical," he elaborated.
The leaders of the countries will also discuss the preparatory work to
next summits of the G-8 and the G-20, in which Russia and Germany are
member countries.