Chancellor Kohl: 'It was very important for us to hear from President Yeltsin'

At the end of a two-day meeting in Germany to discuss Russia's efforts to recover from its recent economic crisis, Mr Kohl said he gave his seal of approval to the measures being introduced by the Russian leader.

"He has made it very plain that he is very willing to continue along the path of economic reform," Mr Kohl said.

President Yeltsin said Kohl's support would prevent foreign capital fleeing Russia

It was Boris Yeltsin's first visit abroad since his country's economic difficulties, which have seen financial markets suffering heavy losses and interest rates at record levels.

But President Yeltsin said that his government had the situation firmly under control and that he did not come to Germany to ask for credits.

"For us, it is much more important to have the personal support of Helmut Kohl, as a major political figure in the world," he said.

Influence in Serbia

The talks come at a time when the European Union is hoping for Russia's backing for its decision to impose sanctions on Serbia in response to the conflict in Kosovo.

Although Moscow has not agreed to this, Mr Kohl said that the Russian President pledged to use his influence with Serbia to try to put an end to the violence.

Mr Yeltsin said: "I share the concerns of the German people over the situation in Kosovo. We will work closely with Helmut Kohl and stay in contact."

His spokesman added that a meeting between the Russian leader and Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in the near future was quite possible.

Staunch allies

Bonn is Moscow's biggest trading partner in the west and one of its staunchest political allies.

President Yeltsin noted on his arrival that this was his fourth meeting with Mr Kohl this year, saying that showed real 'love between men'.

The BBC correspondent in Bonn says that Germany also indicated the importance it ascribes to Russia by describing the talks as "consultations" - a formula it reserves for key international partners.