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During their negotiations, Mr Putin and Mr Musharraf paid a great deal of attention to the trade and economic relations between the countries and discussed the situation in South Asia in detail. Mr Putin stressed the need to resume dialogue between Pakistan and India.

He also expressed the hope that Mr Musharraf’s current visit to Russia would pave the way for the further development of inter-state ties and help better coordinate international efforts in the fight against terrorism and on other issues of interest to the two countries.

Mr Musharraf invited Mr Putin to make a state visit to Pakistan.

Following the negotiations, Russia and Pakistan adopted a joint statement. With Mr Musharraf and Mr Putin watching, a memorandum on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan was signed, as well as a programme of cultural, scientific and educational exchanges for 2003–2006 and a memorandum on cooperation between the Internal Affairs Ministries of the two countries.

Later on, Mr Putin and Mr Musharraf met with journalists.

In his statement on the results of the talks, President Putin noted there was a good basis for the development of relations between the two countries. He added that their efforts could not and must not be coordinated to the detriment of Russia’s traditional partners.

Mr Putin wished Mr Musharraf success in fulfilling the obligations that Pakistan took as a member of the counter-terrorist coalition and in neutralising militant extremist organisations in Pakistan.