During a restricted attendance meeting, Dmitry Medvedev and Silvio Berlusconi discussed bilateral relations, international problems and the agenda of the G20 summit, due to take place in Washington on November 15.
Mr Medvedev expressed satisfaction with the development of Russian-Italian economic ties. Mr Berlusconi said that Italy was eager to become Russia’s key economic partner.
A package of documents was signed during the 5th round of interstate consultations, in which members of both Governments took part – in particular, agreements on establishing car, tyre, cement, oil processing, aero-technical and energy joint ventures. The Parties also signed a memorandum on cooperation against drug trafficking.
Mr Medvedev and Mr Berlusconi addressed a news conference after the meeting. The Russian President said that bilateral energy relations were not subsiding even in a financial crisis. He thanked Mr Berlusconi for a balanced position in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict.
Mr Medvedev said that he had passed Russian initiatives on overcoming the global financial crisis to Mr Berlusconi and other partners.
Answering a journalist’s question, the Russian President passed on his best wishes to US President Elect Barack Obama and said he hoped that the new US President would lay the foundation for further partnership with Russia.