Mr Putin and Mr Chretien expressed their concern over the fact that trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Canada was not developing as fast as their potential permitted. Fifteen percent growth of trade in the first six months of this year is not a satisfactory result.
Other issues discussed at the meeting included cooperation in the Arctic, in particular in the field of the environment.
Mr Putin praised the results of the Canadian Prime Minister’s recent trip to Kabul.
The Russian President instructed Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to step up the talks with Canada and find a mutually acceptable solution regarding the flights of the two counties’ airlines over the territories of Russia and Canada. The issue of restrictions on the flights of Canadian airlines over Russia en route to India was raised by Mr Chretien during the meeting.
On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Deputy Chief of Staff of the President’s Executive Office Sergei Prikhodko also took part in the talks.