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Vladimir Putin and Ali Abdullah Saleh discussed the situation surrounding Iraq, problems of the Middle East peace process, and the coordination of efforts in the fight against terrorism. The President stressed that the two countries had many interests in common, including the Red Sea.

Mr Putin and Mr Ali Abdullah Saleh signed a declaration on the principles of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The document said that the two leaders had agreed to coordinate their efforts in order to turn the Middle East into a zone free of weapons of mass destruction on a just basis and with just criteria applied to all Middle East parties involved. Russia and Yemen said they were determined to act together to implement the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and other international treaties on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear disarmament.

In their declaration, Russia and Yemen announced their intention to expand cooperation in the fight against international terrorism, in particular in such aspects as hostage-taking, sabotage, and provision of cover for terrorists.

Inter-governmental agreements on cooperation in science, culture, education, sports and tourism, as well as on the encouragement and mutual protection of investment, were also signed in the Kremlin in the presence of the two Presidents.

At the end of the negotiations, Mr Putin spoke before journalists.