Presser with Putin and Berlusconi

(5 Nov 2003)
1. Presser
2. Italian Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Russian President Vladimir Putin
3. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister:
"I think that we can simply be satisfied with this day of work together that follows a lot of work done by our collaborators and we can wish that what we have decided here may lead to a great collaboration between our two peoples and our two countries and as far as I'm concerned, I wish that our industries and economies may take advantage of a great market like the one of the Russian Federation for Italian products and the activity of the Italian businesses and obviously reassuring our Russian friends that a similar hospitality will come on our behalf towards Russian businesses that will want to come to work in Italy."
4. Media
5. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Vladimir Putin, Russian President:
"First of all, I'd like to express my satisfaction with the results of our talks which became once again proof of the active nature and depth of the dialogue between Russia and the Italian republic. These regular meetings became an integral part of our developing relationships. Key ministers from both governments took part in today's talks and this is the second time that our talks have taken place following this format. And this approach makes our relationships more dynamic and thanks to this they have acquired new quality. And I think that the work of these ministers should be highly praised."
6. Putin and Berlusconi

STORYLINE:

Away from a political storm at home, Russian President Vladimir Putin began a state visit to Italy on Wednesday, finding a close friend in Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Putin - whose two days of talks include meetings with Berlusconi, Pope John Paul II and a summit with the European Union - held his first discussions with Italy's head of state, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

Dozens of palace guards on horseback dressed in plumed helmets and brass armour breast-plates, accompanied Putin into the courtyard of Rome's Quirinal Palace for his meeting with Ciampi.

The Russian president emphasised the positive afterwards, keeping clear of the recent outcry over the arrest of Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who is accused of fraud and tax evasion in what some critics allege is a politically driven probe.

Putin spoke of strong cooperation with Italy, citing Italian support for Moscow's proposal of visa-free travel between Russia and the EU.

The EU, however, wants Russia to tighten controls on its long, porous borders first and make Russian passports harder to forge.

It was Putin's second visit to Italy this year - in August, he spent three days at Berlusconi's Sardinian estate.

Berlusconi and Putin have developed a close personal friendship, visiting one another and meeting on the sidelines of international conferences.

Berlusconi, whose nation currently holds the rotating EU presidency, has strongly supported Russia's efforts to join the World Trade Organisation and has even suggested Russia could become part of a "Big Europe" along with Israel and Turkey.

However Putin says Russia is not pressing to join the EU.

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