Russian President Dimitry Medvedev Thursday began his first European trip since being sworn in last month with a visit to Germany, arriving in Berlin shortly before noon, reported dpa.
Medvedev was welcomed with full military honours by Chancellor Angela Merkel before holding talks with the chancellor, President Horst Koehler and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
During the one-day visit, Medvedev, 42, is to make a keenly awaited foreign policy speech at a Berlin hotel, the first time he addresses major international themes since his inauguration on May 7.
He is also to lay a wreath at a Russian war memorial in former East Berlin.
German politicians have expressed hopes for a new phase in relations with Russia, stressing political and human rights issues alongside the vital economic ties.
Germany is Russia's most important trading partner, with total trade running at 57 billion euros (88 billion dollars) in 2007.
Trade between the two is roughly in balance - the German statistical office valued imports from Russia at 28.8 billion euros, while exports rose 20 per cent to 28.2 billion euros.
But this conceals the heavy dependence of Germany on Russian oil and gas, imports of which totalled 20.0 billion euros or almost a third of total German gas and oil imports of 61.1 billion euros.
Germany also imports large quantities of metals and other raw materials.
Russian imports from Germany focus on machinery, vehicles and chemicals.
Some 4,500 German companies have set up shop in Russia, and further direct investment in both directions is set to form a key aspect to the talks in Berlin.
European commentators nevertheless noted that the new Russian president had paid visits to China and Kazakhstan before turning his attention to the West.
Merkel has in the past repeatedly signalled an emphasis on human rights and criticized Russia's record in this regard under Medvedev's predecessor, Vladimir Putin.
German officials also question aspects of Russia's legal system and the problems of doing business there.