The February summit meeting of the US and Russian presidents, George Bush and Vladimir Putin, will probably take place at Bratislava Castle, Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic said Monday.

He said that Putin would stay in Bratislava for one more day ona bilateral visit.

"The three of us have unanimously agreed that Bratislava Castleshould be the summit venue, also as a symbol," Gasparovic said after a meeting with Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda and parliament chairman Pavol Hrusovsky.

Situated on a rocky outcrop above the Danube river, Bratislava Castle dates back to the early Middle Ages, but has been extended and reconstructed many times since. At present it houses exhibitions from the Slovak National Museum (Historical Museum and Music Museum), as well as the reception rooms of the Slovak president and parliament. It is a national cultural monument.

The castle meets security criteria required for such an important event. Situated on a hill, not right in the historical center of the city, it is accessible only through a few paths which can be easily closed to the public.

Gasparovic said that Putin would stay in Bratislava not only onFeb. 24, when he is meeting Bush, but also on Feb. 25, when he is to meet top leaders of Slovakia.

"We've received information that President Putin will stay for one more day and will consider this an official visit," Gasparovicsaid.

According to the preliminary schedule, Bush is to land in Bratislava on Feb. 23 evening. He is to meet Putin on Feb. 24 and will probably leave Slovakia on the same day late in the afternoon.

Putin is expected to arrive in Bratislava on February 24 in the morning.

No accurate schedule of Bush or Putin's meetings in the Slovak capital is available for the time being. It will be probably disclosed only a few days before the summit.

Up to 1,500 journalists might attend the summit, in addition toseveral hundreds of persons accompanying the two prominent guests.

The Slovak government has already assigned 205 million crowns (about 6.95 million US dollars) for security measures to be taken. It is going to deploy 5,500 police officers and 400 fire fighters and rescuers in what Interior Minister Vladimir Palko has called the largest security action in the country's history.

Source: Xinhua