Скачать или смотреть RUSSIA: CIAMPI AND PTUIN HOLD TALKS

(27 Nov 2000) Italian/Nat

Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have held talks on boosting economic ties, Russia's integration into European affairs and the Middle East crisis.

Putin and Ciampi held the talks during the Italian president's visit to Moscow on Monday.

Ciampi described the discussions as "open" and "sincere".

Putin said relations between the two countries were "friendly, warm and productive", dating back to the times when Italian architects helped build the Kremlin in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Russian president said his country wouldn't complain about the prospective expansion of the European Union, which will include some former Soviet allies in Eastern Europe.

But Putin added that it must not hamper Russia's relations with them.

He said he and Ciampi discussed the situation in the Middle East and agreed to coordinate their peacemaking activities.

Putin reiterated Russia's support for an independent Palestinian state, but added that Russia "categorically opposes violence."

The Russian president plunged into Middle East peacemaking last Friday when he hosted visiting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the Kremlin and arranged for him to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak by phone.

He suggested on Monday that international monitors could help solve the conflict, even though Israel has strongly opposed such observer missions.

Ciampi arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening for a three-day visit.

He's also due to meet Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, parliamentary leaders, and the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Alexy II.

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)
"Today my official visit to Moscow is a chance to resume an open dialogue (with Moscow). It is open because we speak sincerely about issues that effect our two countries."
SUPER CAPTION: Carlo Ciampi, Italian President

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"The recent developments in the Middle East worry the whole world, including Italy and Russia. As you know, the former Soviet Union and Russia have consistently supported the efforts of the Palestinian people to normalise the situation in the Middle East and in the creation of a Palestinian state."
SUPER CAPTION: Vladimir Putin, Russian President

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