Medvedev, Merkel to discuss RF-EU ties, Middle East, North Africa

MOSCOW, July 18 (Itar-Tass) -- A visiting Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss Russian-EU
relations, including a European missile defence shield, as well as the
situation in the Middle East and North Africa in the German city of
Hannover on Monday, Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko told
Itar-Tass on Sunday.
"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," he said.
Speaking on European problems, Prikhodko noted that "Dmitry Medvedev
will ask Angela Merkel about her position on the financial situation in
several EU countries."
Meanwhile, the leaders will discuss "the development of the situation
in 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.