The European Union (EU) will enhance "special relations" with Russia in the energy sector, visiting European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying on Saturday after meeting President Vladimir Putin the previous day.

The EU and Russia had common interests and common benefits in this field, including security, investments and effectiveness, Barroso said when speaking to journalists in Moscow on Saturday.

Barroso met Russian President Vladimir Putin informally on energy cooperation on Friday after his arrival.

The talks particularly focused on Russia's role as one of the EU's leading energy suppliers, and the EU as Russia's main gas partner. Both sides need stable relations, Barroso said.

He described his three-hour talks with the Russian president as "inspiring." At the same time, he called for making the energy market "open and transparent."

According to Barroso, Putin confirmed that Russia will remain a reliable and predictable partner of the EU in the energy sector. Both sides seek to continue the development of strategic relations.

They also discussed preparations for the Russia-EU summit to be held in Sochi in May.

The EU backed Russia's agenda for the G-8 summit in St. Petersburg in July, Barroso said, adding that the summiteers were expected to pay more attention to energy security, education and the fight against infectious diseases.

Source: Xinhua