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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi discussed various aspects of Russian-Italian relations and a series of international issues.

Mr Putin noted with satisfaction the diversification of Russian-Italian economic ties, the development of contacts in the humanitarian sphere, and the creation of necessary conditions for the development of contacts between people.

At the completion of Russian-Italian talks, Mr Putin and Mr Berlusconi signed a Joint statement outlining the approaches of Moscow and Rome to key international problems.

Russia and Italy see terrorism as one of the most serious and dangerous problems of the present day. Condemnation of terrorism must be unconditional and must not permit double standards.

The two sides intend to increase cooperation in the war on the use, manufacture and trafficking of drugs, and also are in favour of increasing international cooperation in the war on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and means for delivering them.

Russia and Italy stress the important of the European Union to fulfil its obligations in simplifying and fully implementing Kaliningrad transit and protecting the rights of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states.

Following talks President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi held a joint news conference.