Relations between Russia and the West have been marred by a series of issues, including U.S. plans to deploy a missile shield in Europe. President Vladimir Putin responded by saying Russia would have new targets in Europe.
In an interview with Russia's Vesti 24 television channel ahead of the Group of Eight (G8) summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, June 6-8, Merkel said, "For me, it is important to be clear that the Cold War remains forever in history."
Russia has expressed concerns that the U.S. missile shield threatened its national security while Washington said it would only be targeted at "rogue states" like Iran and North Korea.
"The U.S. has proposed cooperating on the missile shield plan, which is not aimed against Russia, but against countries that provoke concern, for example, Iran," said Merkel, who is holding the rotating presidency in the Group of Eight and the European Union.
Ahead of the G8 summit and U.S. President George W. Bush's European tour, Putin said Iran and North Korea did not possess weapons to provoke U.S. concern. Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, in turn said U.S. plans to deploy elements of its missile shield in the Czech Republic and Poland were the "joke of the year."
The German chancellor also said she hoped even sensitive issues would be discussed in full appreciation that Russia and the West were partners, "We are global partners and we share a common responsibility."
She said Russia and the West were cooperating on international issues such as the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis, and the controversial nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea.
"We depend on each other, and this is what will determine the Heiligendamm [summit]," she said. "Even when we disagree, it remains indisputable that Russia is a partner, Russia is a member of the G8."
Merkel said she expected President Putin to maintain the same spirit together with all the other leaders at the G8 summit.
