COLLEEN MCEDWARDS: Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with German business leaders on Friday as he concludes a visit to Germany. The two countries are sounding upbeat about forging stronger ties after an initial round of talks in Berlin. CNN's Berlin Bureau Chief Chris Burns reports that economic and security issues are topping the negotiations.</s>CHRIS BURNS, CNN BERLIN BUREAU CHIEF: The latest stop on his charm offensive; President Vladimir Putin looks for help from Russia's biggest creditor as he struggles to reform his economy. Putin also sees in Germany a potential ally in pressuring Washington not to go ahead with its national missile defense. Germany has been critical of the plan. His first round of talks with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was a sign of just how much times have changed in the decade since the Berlin Wall came down. Putin, who was a KGB agent in communist East Germany during the 1980s, now speaking in fluent German with the chancellor of a unified Germany, in the very office where East German leader Erich Honecker once governed. No hard results after the first of four meetings planned here. So far, Germany has yet to cancel any of its estimated $18 billion in loans to Russia, but there is talk of debt restructuring to give Putin more breathing room for his economy. And there were strong words of support for each other. "We agree that we want to make a substantial new beginning in German- Russian relations," Schroeder said. "Germany has an interest in a strategic partnership with Russia, and we know that not only Germany, but also Europe, has an interest in the closest and most friendly relationship with Russia." Schroeder did not elaborate on what he meant by strategic partnership, though it's the same terminology Germany uses to describe its ties with the United States. (on camera): Perhaps most significant at this summit is how President Putin is being officially received here - as a leader Chancellor Schroeder wants to do business with. Less chummy than between Helmut Kohl and Boris Yeltsin, but with an eye toward deeper economic, and even strategic cooperation. Chris Burns, CNN, Berlin.
Schroeder-Putin Talks Continue in Berlin