Putin Heading to U.K. for State Visit

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Putin Heading to U.K. for State Visit

Russian leader Vladimir Putin leaves for Britain on Tuesday for a pomp-filled state visit to smooth over differences over the war in Iraq and promote economic ties.

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Russian leader Vladimir Putin leaves for Britain on Tuesday for a pomp-filled state visit to smooth over differences over the war in Iraq and promote economic ties.

Putin will meet Queen Elizabeth II in the first state visit to Britain by a Russian leader since Czar Alexander II made the trip at the invitation of Queen Victoria in 1874.

Former President Boris Yeltsin, known for erratic behavior, was never invited, and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was agriculture secretary when he went to Britain in 1984.

"This sort of cooperation is of the highest importance with regard to key international questions, problems of Russian integration in the European economy and bilateral relations," Putin said of the visit.

Besides meeting the queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace and traveling to the Scottish capital Edinburgh, Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair. The will open an energy conference.

"All the members of my delegation are looking forward to new breakthroughs in terms of political and economic co-operation," Putin said in an interview broadcast Sunday by the British Broadcasting Corp. Putin leaves for Britain on Tuesday.

The Iranian and DPRK nuclear programs will also be high on the agenda in the talks with Blair.

Along with France and Germany, Russia opposed the U.S.-led war in Iraq during debates at the U.N. Security Council.

Source: Agencies

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