BERLIN - Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel reached much consensus on Friday over economic cooperation and a political solution for Syria during Putin's first European trip in his third presidency.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin address the media after talks in Berlin, June 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The agreements, however, could hardly prove that the bilateral relations have entered the fast track to full cooperation. The relations, according to some analysts, suffered more trouble than appeared.

At the press conference following his meeting with Merkel, Putin called the discussion "constructive, open, and friendly", and confirmed to reporters that the second leg of Nord Stream pipeline would start commercial supply to Europe in the last quarter this year.

The pipeline, built jointly by firms from Russia, Germany and the Netherlands, will pump gas from Siberia to Europe under the Baltic Sea, bypassing transit countries including Germany.

Merkel, for her part, said Russia is a "reliable" energy supplier, adding that Germany would like to help the country modernize its industry.

She said the increase of bilateral trade volume shows the vigor of German-Russian relationship as in 2011, Russian export to Germany rose 27 percent to 25 billion euros, while import climbed 34 percent to 27 billion euros.

Both leaders said they favored a political solution for Syria and agreed to work with other countries to prevent the crisis in the country from worsening.

Speaking at the joint press conference, Putin reiterated that Russia does not support any party in the ongoing conflict in Syria.

Russia wants to help UN-Arab League joint envoy Kofi Annan achieve "positive results" in Syria, and "believe a political solution could be found," Putin added.

Merkel said Annan's plan could be a starting point for a political solution to the Syria crisis, while adding that "We must work with all energy to implement this plan and develop additional political activities if necessary."