President Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral economic cooperation, in particular in the energy sector, and current international issues, with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
The two leaders were present for the signature of bilateral agreements. Russia’s Gazprom and Italian company ENI signed an agreement on setting up a joint enterprise to carry out the technical and economic feasibility studies for a new European gas transport system, Southern Stream. The Russian and Italian Governments also signed a declaration of intention on transferring to Russia property rights to the Russian Orthodox Church complex in the Italian city of Bari.