This joint award presented by the Russian President and the Italian Prime Minister was created to recognise the special contribution made by Russian and Italian citizens to developing bilateral cooperation in various areas, including in business, science, and culture, and it is awarded every year to one Russian and one Italian citizen.
Mr Putin presented the award this year to President of Indesit Company Vittorio Merloni, while Mr Prodi presented the award to Governor of Lipetsk Region Oleg Korolyov.
Mr Putin also awarded the Pushkin Medal to Stefano Garzonio, professor of Russian language and literature at the University of Pisa and president of the Association of Italian Slavists. The medal is awarded for services in the area of culture, education, the humanities, literature and the arts, for a major contribution to the study and preservation of cultural heritage, and the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of the cultures of different nations and peoples.