After an official photo session, Vladimir Putin and George Bush held the first round of restricted-attendance talks with the participation of Vladimir Rushailo, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. President’s National Security Advisor.
Enlarged talks were held after the Presidents’ short stroll around the park of the Castle of Brdo. At the expanded meeting, the participants discussed Russian-American cooperation and some international issues focusing on the strengthening of strategic stability and the U.S. initiative to create a national missile defence system.
The sides agreed to continue cooperation in search for a joint solution to regional problems in the Balkans, Nagorny Karabakh and Afghanistan.
They showed their interest in the energy resources of the Caspian basin. According to Vladimir Putin, energy, including nuclear energy, and space were promising areas for cooperation.
During the meeting, the Presidents agreed to exchange visits.
Participants in the enlarged talks included Russia’s Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Vladimir Rushailo and the U.S. President’s National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
After the talks, Vladimir Putin and George Bush held a press conference.