Germany and Russia concluded their annual high-level government consultation Tuesday, inking a series of economic, political and environmental agreements and holding talks on hot issues like Libyan situation and energy cooperation.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel talk at a signing ceremony after a round of German-Russian consultations in Hanover July 19, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The two leaders had a breakfast with business representatives from both sides Tuesday morning, after taking part in a memorial for a group of prisoners murdered by the Nazis in the 1940s.

Attended by delegations of ministers from both countries, the 13th German-Russian government consultations are aimed at boosting all-round ties between the two countries, officials said.

To meet such goals, the two side signed dozens of agreements on expanding economic, political, cultural and environmental cooperation, which proved "the intensity of communication between ministries," Merkel said.

Expanding Energy ties was labelled as a crucial issue during this meeting, as Germany, the top importer of Russian gas, has decided to shut down all its nuclear power plants by 2022.

Germany's decision on nuclear power "opens up new partnership opportunities ... including increasing Russian gas exports using the capacity of the Nord Stream pipeline," the Russian government said in a briefing before the cabinet meeting.

Merkel said that Germany was a "natural" business partner for Russia, while Germans would like to import energy with lower prices.

"The cheaper Russian gas is offered, the more likely it is to be purchased," Merkel said, adding that making contracts are of course matters between energy companies, not the governments.

She said that Germany would develop more coal-fired plants, energy-efficiency and renewable power stations during the phase-out of nuclear energy, and her country would keep its gas imports within "a reasonable range."

Earlier in the day, the two leaders also talk about current visa regulations, another hot issue often mentioned in recent German-Russian meetings. Russia has long asked for easing visa requirements for Russians to visit Germany and Europe.

"We agreed that we must develop a step-by-step plan," Merkel said, "I hope we can present something on this issue next year. I believe if Germany starts to be a little more open then Europe will follow suit."

On Libyan situations, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the Libyan government and rebels could still reach a peaceful solution, and supporting one and isolating the other would not be a choice.

"We must continue to seek opportunities for a peaceful solution (in Libya). In my view, it is still achievable," he said in a press conference with Merkel.

The Russia leader criticized NATO's military intervention in Libya, saying that "instead of blocking airspace, this mission has provoked an active phase of civil war. Different forces are supporting conflicting sides, and this is not very good. In truth, this is exceptionally bad for Libya."

He said Russia would do what it could to seek a peaceful agreement between the appositions and the Libyan government. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is to meet his Libyan counterpart Abdelati Obeidi in Moscow.

Despite a series of agreements, the two sides seemed still at odds with the issue of unrest in Syria. Merkel said it would be right to condemn Syrian government for the violence.

However, Medvedev stressed Russia's opposition to any U.N. resolution condemning the Syrian government. "We really don't want the situation in Syria to develop as the Libyan scenario," he said.

This year's meeting was also overshadowed by the recent controversy over a private German foundation's taking back its award from Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Organizer of the Quadriga Prize originally intended to select Putin for this year's award for "his contribution to German-Russian relations". However, they finally decided at the weekend to withdraw Putin's prize , citing doubts over his record on human rights,.

Medvedev slammed this move in the press conference, saying that "when you have already taken a decision to award a prize, it has to be taken; otherwise it is cowardice and inconsistency."

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet