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The President of Russia and the Prime Minister of Portugal spoke in the Green Room of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Negotiations then continued in the presence of both countries’ delegations.

The meeting’s key themes consisted in Russia-EU relations in the second half of 2007 in view of the forthcoming Portuguese EU presidency, as well as the development of trade and investment relations between Russia and Portugal.

Russian President expressed his hope that Russia-EU relations will receive a new impetus during the Portuguese EU presidency.

Vladimir Putin noted that concrete results could be achieved during the Portuguese chairmanship, results that would promote positive improvements in the range of Russia-EU relations and help overcome problems linked with the political ambitions of individual EU member countries.

The President of Russia also expressed his concern with respect to several of his western colleagues’ undertakings and plans. In particular, delays in ratifying the Adapted Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty and the United States’ intentions to deploy elements of a missile defence system in Eastern Europe were discussed during the meeting with the Portuguese Prime Minister.

Vladimir Putin emphasised that Russia’s position remains the same: introducing new types of weapons in Europe is both harmful and dangerous, and creates unnecessary risks for the entire system of international and European relations.

Following the negotiations Vladimir Putin and Jose Socrates gave a joint press conference.