| It is headed by Dr Tilo Klinner – counselor of German embassy in Moscow – who had spent several months on preparatory activities in order to open the diplomatic representation. “It’s a result of more than 10 years of work”, said the governor. “For the first time the idea was discussed in 1991 with the assistance of Russian President and German Chancellor. It was finally fulfilled in October of 2003 by Vladimir Putin and Gerhard Schroder during their meeting in Ekaterinburg”.
According to Eduard Rossel this event will be of great importance for the whole Ural region with 30 millions of population. “At present day everyone who wants to go to Germany has to get a visa in Moscow”, the governor marked. “In the meantime the number of such people is growing and there are already 5 direct flights from Ekaterinburg to Germany a week”.
Among 40 foreign trade partners of Sverdlovsk region – Germany is one of the main. According to official statistics in the first quarter of 2005 turnover between Middle Ural and Germany had exceeded $135 millions what makes more than 8% from the region’s total commodity circulation. | 
