Mr Putin and Mr Stoltenberg discussed cooperation between Russia and Norway, including cooperation with Russia’s northern regions – an important matter for Norway.
Mr Stoltenberg informed Mr Putin about his talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, at which an agreement on simplifying visa rules for Norwegian and Russian citizens was signed. The meeting also stressed the importance for the two countries of signing an agreement demarcating their respective marine zones. The talks emphasised willingness to give an impulse to the search for solutions that would take into account both sides’ interests.
On the Norwegian Prime Minister’s initiative, Mr Putin explained in detail Russia’s position on the deployment of elements of a U.S. missile defence system in Europe.
Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg is in St Petersburg for the 11th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.