(From L) Thomas Hendel, head of Rudea, t

(From L) Thomas Hendel, head of Rudea, the Russian-German energy agency, Nikolai Schwez of the MRSK holding, Udo Niehage, head of energy at Siemens and Stephan Kohler of the German energy agency Dena, sign a memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership for the modernizing of the power networks as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev look on at a two-day German-Russian forum in Hanover northern Germany, on July 19, 2011. The leaders of Russia and Germany held a joint cabinet meeting amid growing German dependence on the gas-rich country due to Berlin's recent decision to scrap nuclear power. The 13th annual such get-together will be joined by major business delegations from both sides. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)