Putin vows to develop Russia-EU relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia holds a positive attitude to the enlargement of the European Union (EU), and vowed to enhance economic, humanitarian, law enforcement and anti-terrorist cooperation with the bloc.

Speaking at a joint press conference held with visiting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Putin said cooperation between Russia and the EU "develops dynamically on the whole," the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

He said Russia's ongoing dialogue with the EU -- which is scheduled to add 10 new members on May 1 and will push eastward its influence to Russia's borders -- has "become more constructive" after experiencing difficulties.

Putin also expressed his belief that both Russia and the EU will find mutually acceptable solutions to the concerns that Moscow holds over the EU's expansion.

"There are no problems that cannot be settled," Interfax quoted Putin as saying.

On his part, Berlusconi, who arrived here Tuesday for a two-day visit, said he will continue working to bring Russia and the EU closer.

"Only with Russia can the EU develop into a greater Europe that can loudly express its opinion about world affairs and become a true partner of the United States," the Italian prime minister said.

Earlier, when attending an opening ceremony of an Italian washing machine plant in the city of Lipetsk, some 400 kilometers south of Moscow, Berlusconi pledged to stimulate Italian investment and to open more enterprises in Russia.

Putin welcomed more investment from Italy, which he said is Russia's second largest trade partner, and vowed to continue creating a "comfortable" economic, administrative and cultural environment for foreign investors.

Reports here said the two leaders have developed a close personal friendship and Berlusconi is seen as one of Putin's closest allies in Europe.

Source: Xinhua