Russian Defense Minister spoke with Portuguese prime-minister in English

On Saturday Russian Defense minister Sergei Ivanov and Portuguese prime-minister Durao Barroso started negotiations in "neutral" English without an interpreter.

The head of the Russian Defense Ministry went to the residence of the Portuguese prime-minister in Sao Bentu straight from the airport. The premier met the Russian guest at the entrance to his residence. The meeting started with the protocol filming, during which Sergei Ivanov having asked whether they needed an interpreter greeted Barroso in English. In return the premier joked that he could talk to his guest in English which was the language neutral for both of them. He stated that "he would be glad to talk to him in Russian but the Russian language was too difficult to be learnt quickly." After that the conversation continued behind the closed doors.

In the wake of the half an hour talks with the Portuguese prime-minister Sergei Ivanov left for the residence of the Portuguese defense minister in the fort of Sao Juliao da Barra located 15 km to the north-west from Lisbon. There the Russian guest will be officially received and negotiations with state minister and national defense minister Paulo Portas will be held.