Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met at the Russian presidential residence of Bocharov Ruchei near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Itar-Tas reported Monday.

Berlusconi arrived there together with his spouse Veronica Lario. President and Mrs Putin welcomed them at the entrace to the estate.

The two leaders greeted each other and spoke for a few minutes on the porch of the building.

Putin invited his guests on a brief walk around the residence after that. One of the things he showed them was a horse he had been presented during festivities in the Russian region of Tatarstan the other day.

The leaders exchanged a few phrases about the horse and had a walk by the seashore next. They had a good opportunity to enjoy the sunset from a moor.

After the walk, Putin and Berlusconi returned to the mansion to begin the first round of talks.

Sergei Prikhodko, the presidential press secretary said earlier the program for Sunday featured informal talks only, while their major business part would be held Monday.

Source: Agencies