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On November 7, GMF Berlin, together with the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin, organized a luncheon entitled "The EU-Russia Relationship before the German EU Presidency." Speakers included Ruprecht Polenz, chairman of Foreign Committee in German Bundestag and Markus Ederer, head of German Foreign Office Planning Board.

The Strategy Paper toward Russia of the German Foreign Office, which was publicly criticized by Ruprecht Polenz, provided background for the discussion when presenting the German approach. His criticism was based the Strategy Paper's lack of focus on "giving-cause-for-concern," Russia's rule of law, and its economic instability. In addition, he highlighted Russia's demographic crisis, the state of media, and massive restrictions to the freedom of the press. He questioned the Strategy Paper's main idea of harmonization through integration (Annäherung durch Verflechtung), and emphasized that Russia's role in resolving international conflicts is pivotal due to its position as global player.

Following the statement of Polenz, Markus Ederer explained the purpose of the Foreign Office Strategy Paper expressing the Russia's importance in the success of the German presidency. According to Ederer, success of the German presidency directly relates to its ability to cope with international crises, and he emphasised the importance of negotiating a new partnership and cooperation agreement with Russia. He concluded by highlighting the need of concentrating on the principles of reciprocity, firm rule of law, and the appliance of EU competition law.

The discussion gave impulses to rethink Russia's position as global player, and dependence on Russia's oil and gas resources. The German government remains silent on the question of responding to the distinctive changes in Russia's domestic and foreign policy. There are admitted gaps between the both Great Coalition Partners whether these changes should lead to an adjustment of the German and EU Russia policy or even strategy.