Russia, Spain to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero vowed to make joint efforts in fighting terrorism, Russian media reported on Friday.

After talks with Zapatero, the Russian president said both sides had spoken much about the fight against terrorism and the principles of arranging joint work.

Putin said he was concerned over terrorists' attempts to influence the domestic situation in this or that country and is worried now "over the terrorist organizations' attempts to influence the internal political situation in the country by staging acts of terror."

Zapatero said it is impossible to defeat terrorism without joint efforts of the international community, calling for interaction between secret services and law-enforcement bodies of different countries in this sphere, the report said.

At the same time, the Russian leader declared the Russian authorities never objected to the Spanish government's decision to pull out its military contingent from Iraq.

Putin emphasized that Moscow's attitude toward the military operation in Iraq has always been and will remain negative.

Russia is doing its best to help the reconstruction of Iraq, said Putin, who also mentioned that Russia has written off much more Iraqi debts than other members of the Paris Club.

According to the report, the two sides also hope to update their bilateral agreement on the protection of investments.

Zapatero confirmed the Spanish wish to develop intensive and profound relations with Russia. In his view, Spain and Russia had mutual interest to carry out cooperation in such areas as energy, construction, infrastructure and tourism.

The premier hopes that the strengthening of bilateral trade and economic relations will be crowned with specific deeds during Putin's state visit to Spain next year.

He said the EU-Russia relations must be frank, positive and constructive, adding that such relations between Spain and Russia add stability to the international life.

Source: Xinhua