Alexei Mordashov, Severstal's general director, takes part in Peterburgsky Dialog (St. Petersburg Dialogue) forum, which is held in Germany as part of annual Russian-German governmental consultations.
   The second Russian-German forum, which was initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, opened yesterday in Weimar. Two hundred people including political figures, industries' representatives and artists came to Germany with Vladimir Putun.
   Alexei Mordashov, Severstal's general director, gave a speech in the Economies and Business section.
    "Severstal has close ties and a twenty year history of cooperation with Eko Slahl of the Usinor group. On the 19th of April Severstal will announce foundation of a joint company called Severgal for production of rolled steel for the automotive industry, and of the commencement of the construction of the galvanizing line at Severstal's industrial site in Cherepovets. This project reflects the state of business relationships between our countries," said Mordashov.
   Germany is a large consumer of Severstal's pipe products and section steel. In 2001, 66% of all section steel, produced by the section rolling shop of Severstal were sold to German consumers.
   Severstal also sells iron pellets to Germany. In 2002, Karelsky Okatysh of the Severstal group plans to open a consignment warehouse in Germany. This was discussed with Eco Stahl representatives, who had been buying Karelsky Okatysh's products for six years. Over 10% of the company's export products go to Germany.
   In turn, Severstal buys several products from German partners. For example, in 2001 Severstal purchased graphitized electrodes from Erft Carbon GmbH Co. to the value of DM 1.2 million. Six German companies supply equipment to Severstal's steel smelting shop. In 2002, Severstal signed contracts with them to the value of EURO 8.5 million.
   Severstal is planning to open the service center in Germany. This project is presently under consideration by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Russian Ministry of Industries and Sciences. The project received support of the German program of developing Eastern lands. "Completion of this project to a large extent depends on the liberalization of trade relations between Russia and the European Union," said Mordashov.
   The forum discusses preparation for the Russia-European Union Summit at the end of April and the Summit of Eight at the end of June. These two summits will focus on issues of European security and Russian succession into WTO. Alexei Mordashov leads a work group on WTO in the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
   The state of things and opportunities for cooperation will be also discussed in the sections of Civil Society, Preventive Measures to Avoid Crisis's, Youth Groups Exchanges, Culture and Medicine.