Vladimir Putin congratulated Angela Merkel on International Women's Day and gave her a bouquet of flowers.
The Russian head of state and the Federal Chancellor held one-on-one talks. Following the meeting the President of Russia and German Chancellor answered journalists' questions.
The same day in the Meindorf Castle near Moscow Angela Merkel met with the President-Elect of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. In the course of their conversation Dmitry Medvedev and Angela Merkel expressed the hope that relations between Russia and Germany would continue in a spirit of mutual cooperation.