Energy topped the agenda during German Chancellor Angela Merkel's first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin since Germany took over the rotating EU and G8 presidencies.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after meeting today with Russian President Vladimir Putin that there is a need to improve communication with Russia to avoid "irritations."

Energy security and efforts to revive stalled negotiations on a new EU-Russian cooperation pact are expected to take center stage at upcoming talks between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Setting out Germany's priorities for its EU Presidency, running from January to June of 2007, Chancellor Angela Merkel today gave the clearest indication yet that the terms of the EU's Neighborhood Policy (ENP) are about to be fundamentally changed.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today she will visit Russia on January 21 for talks with President Vladimir Putin about relations with the EU.