Putin-Lukashenko meeting lasts 3 hours

Vladimir Putin and Aleksander Lukashenko, respective Presidents of Russia and Belarus, have rounded off the first part of their routine meeting which lasted over 3 hours on board the Rossiya motor ship in St.Petersburg.

The presidents opened the meeting by discussing international problems of current importance, said Sergei Prikhodko, Deputy Chief of the Kremlin staff.

Mr Putin elaborated on the outcomes of the recent Russia-US summit, the outcomes of NATO's Rome summit in the "20" format, and of the Russia-European Union summit.

The two leaders exchanged opinions on a series of other international issues as well.

Also prominent at the meeting was a range of issues related to Russo-Belarussian interaction within the EurAsEC, said Mr Prikhodko.

The presidents dwelled on bilateral economic contacts, and discussed a plan of joint action aiming to circulate a common currency, according to Mr Prikhodko.

The presidents are now having a short break, but will soon resume the meeting to devote it to the Union Treaty.

Talks were held in a friendly atmosphere and were very sincere, the presidents are not facing any unresolvable problems whatsoever, said the Kremlin official.