MOSCOW, September 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Germany are ready soon to sign a youth cooperation agreement, which envisages simplified visa issuance and other formalities, says Alexander Yakovenko, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman. Novosti interviewed him shortly before President Vladimir Putin's planned visit to Germany.
The upcoming agreement stipulates youth exchanges boosted. Either country will establish a coordination bureau for the purpose, said the diplomat.
The topic will come up for debate at a 4th St. Petersburg Dialogue Russian-German public forum, due in Hamburg, he added.
German Culture Year in Russia is great success. It has spread to 25 Russian regions. Cultural links and humanitarian efforts have come into the foreground as a 60th V-E Day anniversary is approaching, said Mr. Yakovenko.
We are offering the unabridged version of the interview on our website, www.rian.ru.
