Russian, Italian Presidents Meet on Bilateral TiesRussian President Vladimir Putin and his visiting Italian counterpart Carlo Ciampi pledged to develop bilateral relations during their Monday talks in the Kremlin.Putin stressed the "good, friendly and rather productive relations" between Russia and Italy is significant to the development of the situation in Europe and in the world. "Russian-Italian political dialogue is reinforced by a solid economic base," Putin said, noting the soaring trade between the two countries. Russian-Italian trade turnover reached US$4.9 billion last year and is expected to increase to 7 billion dollars this year. Italy is now Russia's fifth largest trade partner. For his part, Ciampi said the Italian-Russian relations "are developing and improving wonderfully." He said he "is very glad to be in Moscow and especially glad to be here as a representative of a country which is among leading EU countries". The two leaders also talked about the Middle East peace process, bilateral trade and investment and the EU expansion. Ciampi arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening for a three-day visit. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, parliament leaders, and the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II. |
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