Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is ready for new quality of relations with Czech republic

Russia is willing to develop and strengthen relations with the Czech republic, and to bring them to a new quality level, announced Russian President Vladimir Putin during the meeting with his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus on Saturday. Mr. Klaus arrived on a routine visit to Moscow on Friday.

"The relations between our countries have acquired a stable and positive character," Mr. Putin said.

In his opinion, both countries have managed to solve a number of economic problems, including foreign debt.

"We have good perspectives of the development of our mutual relations, and I hope that your visit will serve as an impetus for their gradual improvement in the future," said Mr. Putin, addressing the Czech President.

"Russia has not only fully re-established relations with its Western European partners and all countries of the Eastern Europe, but has also improved the quality of these relations. In that respect, the development of our relations with the Czech republic is somewhat lagging behind," underlined the head of the Russian State.

"Russia is willing to make everything possible to improve the cooperation with the Czech republic in the interests of our peoples," Mr. Putin emphasised.

In his turn, Mr. Klaus, agreeing with Mr. Putin's statements, stressed that the latest Czech-Russian summit occurred ten years ago.

"The two countries are living in a totally different situation at present," the Czech President underlined. In his opinion, both countries have to rationalize their mutual relations.

The Russian-Czech talks are being conducted at the Russian president's countryside residence in Novo-Ogaryovo.

Mr. Putin with his spouse met Mr. Klaus and his wife Livia in the reception hall. The Russian President presented the Czech President's spouse with a bouquet of flowers, and Mr. Klaus presented Lyudmila Putin with a flower arrangement, as well.