During their conversation, President Putin and King Juan Carlos discussed current issues related to Russian-Spanish cooperation and the two countries’ interaction on the international stage. They expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations that had been attained and was apparent in their intense contacts at various levels.
They also discussed the development of Russia’s relations with the European Union in light of Spain’s forthcoming presidency of the EU in 2002.
The Russian President confirmed his previous invitation to the Spanish King to visit Russia.
King Juan Carlos I was in Moscow on a one-day private visit. The Spanish royal couple has paid official visits to Russia twice – in 1984 and 1997. In July 2001, Queen Sofia of Spain made a brief private visit to St Petersburg.