German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will head to Russia on Monday for political talks with that country's new political leaders, an official said here Friday.

German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Jaeger said during a regular weekly press briefing that Steinmeier's five-day trip was aimed at "underscoring the importance of ties with Russia." He also stressed his country's interest in having "a close dialogue with Russia's new leadership."
Steinmeier will also discuss international issues with the Russian politicians, like the Abkhazia crisis, the dispute over Iran's nuclear program and the future of EU-Russian relations.

The German minister is also scheduled to make stopovers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Ekaterinburg.

Meanwhile, new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is reportedly set to visit Germany in June.

Russia is not only one of Germany's most important trading partners, but is also involved in a "strategic energy" cooperation.