Spanish premier and Russian president to discuss Iran and Prophet drawings

The Iran nuclear debate and the crisis over caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad were on the agenda Thursday for a meeting between Russia's president and Spain's premier, an official said.

Photo: Spanish premier and Russian president to discuss Iran and Prophet drawings

Spanish premier and Russian president to discuss Iran and Prophet drawings

Vladimir Putin and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will also discuss a naval agreement between the two countries, a Spanish government spokeswoman said. They were also expected to talk about terrorism and ways of boosting economic ties, and sign a series of accords covering judicial cooperation, drug trafficking, tourism, agriculture and space technology.

Putin meets with Spain's prime minister just before noon (1100 GMT), and both leaders planned to hold a news conference later in the day.

Before meeting Zapatero, Putin will visit the Senate, officials said. Putin is on a two-day state visit to Spain, his first as Russia's president, reports the AP.

I.L.