Vladimir Putin on Russo-Italian relations

During talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would like to see a trusting and constructive atmosphere in relations between Russia and Italy.

The Russian head of state believes that relations between Russia and Italy are sufficiently privileged.

"Bilateral co-operation is developing energetically, [as are] economic and humanitarian ties," the president said.

"Moscow would like to extend the trusting and constructive atmosphere between Russia and Italy to relations between Russia and the EU as a whole," he said.

The president recalled that the European Union had adopted a plan of work with regard to Russia. He expressed his hope that during Italy's tenure in the EU's rotating chair serious headway would be made in this area and with regard to the agreements reached in St. Petersburg. "We shall make every effort on our part to make sure they are attained," Vladimir Putin said.