At the press conference following the meeting with the President of Slovakia, Ivan Gasparovic, Vladimir Putin noted that the talks concentrated on trade and economic cooperation.
Vladimir Putin emphasised that Moscow and Bratislava consider diversifying their trade to be one of their key tasks. To do so the two countries must deepen cooperation as well as stimulate investments and scientific and technological cooperation.
During the talks they confirmed a basic agreement on concluding new long-term contracts for delivering Russian gas to Slovakia and transporting Russian gas through Slovakia, since the present agreements expire in 2008.
The Russian head of state said that he is in favour of quickly settling the issue of permits with Slovakia so that the countries can better develop their military and technological cooperation. Vladimir Putin also declared that domestic experts are ready to help complete and modernize nuclear stations in Slovakia.