President Of Portugal To Begin His Visit To Russia Thursday

During his official visit to Russia due to begin on October 25, President Jorge Sampaio of Portugal will meet the leadership of the Russian Federation and attend a meeting of the two countries' businessmen. As Ambassador of Portugal to Russia Joaquim Caimoto Duarte said on the eve of the visit, on Friday morning Sampaio will meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Wrapping up the negotiations will be the signing of three documents - the Consular Convention between Russia and Portugal, the protocol on transferring to the Russian side the Diplomatic Archives of Russia of 19th-20th Centuries which up to this time were in Portugal, as well as the protocol on mutual understanding between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. After the signing ceremony, a seminar will be held for Russian and Portuguese entrepreneurs. According to the ambassador, Jorge Sampaio plans to take part in the closing of the seminar. "Then, the Portuguese President will meet with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, visit the State Duma and, possibly, the Federation Council," said Joaquim Caimoto Duarte. On Sunday, he will go to St Petersburg to meet governor Vladimir Yakovlev.