Berlin  - Russian President Dimitry Medvedev Thursday began his first Europen trip since being sworn in last month with a visit to Germany, arriving in Berlin shortly before noon.

Medvedev was welcomed with full military honours by Chancellor Angela Merkel before holding talks with the chancellor, President Horst Koehler and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

During the one-day visit, Medvedev is to make a keenly awaited foreign policy address at a Berlin hotel.

He is also to lay a wreath at a Russian war memorial in former east Berlin.

German politicians have expressed hopes for a new phase in relations with Russia, stressing political and human rights issues alongside the vital economic ties.

Germany is Russia's most important trading partner, with total trade running at 57 billion euros (88 billion dollars) in 2007.

Germany imports around a third of its oil and gas needs from Russia, with the trade in the other direction largely in machinery, vehicles and chemicals. (dpa)