Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) applaude to E.ON CEO Wulf Bernotat (L) and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller after a contract signing ceremony in Russia's western Siberian city of Tomsk April 27, 2006. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the heart of Siberia on Thursday to discuss the security of gas supply to Europe and to try to agree on a strategy for dealing with Iran. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz