The Strategic Council aims at assisting cooperation and deeper integration of Russia and Germany, and addresses specific issues in a two party relationship. The Council is overseen by the Russian President and German Chancellor.
   Right before the meeting of the two leaders in Weimar the Council for the first time included Russian businessmen in addition to government representatives.
   Alexei Mordashov joined the Council in the capacity of a representative of Russian businessmen. He was recommended by German Gref, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, upon preliminary approval of the Russian President.
   The Council members include Russian Deputy Minister of Finance, the Chairman of Gosstandart and several other high officials. From the Russian side, the Council is headed by Ivan Materov, Deputy Minister of the Economic Development and Trade. German Gref is involved in its supervision. The Russian -German council held 10 meetings, the last one took place right before the meeting in Weimar.