Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Friday that he wants top-level contacts between the two nations to continue despite domestic political events in Germany.

"We would like to maintain contacts on the summit level and between our ministries and departments regardless any internal political events," Putin said at a meeting with Schroeder in the northern city of St. Petersburg, according to the Itar-Tass news agency.

"I know, and we all know how complicated the internal political events in Germany are," Putin added.

Schroeder arrived in St. Petersburg on the birthday of the Russian president, with whom the German leader maintains good personal relations. Putin speaks fluent German.

"Everyone is convinced that the continuation of relations between the two countries and between Russia and Europe will be secured," Schroeder said.

The German chancellor said he is in town also to congratulate Putin on his birthday.

Source: Xinhua