Putin and Prodi Want EU-Russia Talks to Start Soon

Italy and Russia said that they wanted talks beween Moscow and the EU on a new strategic partnership agreement to start as soon as possible.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Romano Prodi said in a joint statement at an Italo-Russian summit in the southern Italian city of Bari that such talks could help promote economic growth and security in all of Europe.

"They agreed that talks on reaching a new strategic partnership agreement between the European union and Russia should be started as soon as possible," the statement said.

"This goal assumes even more fundamental meaning now that there is a need to provide a high level of economic development and security on the European continent," it said.

"Strengthening cooperation in the energy sector should also facilitate this," the statement continued.

Talks on a new cooperation pact were to have started last year but Poland vetoed the negotiations in protest at a Russian ban on imports of Polish meat and other farm products.

The EU has said it believes the ban is disproportionate.