Russian-Italian ties are flourishing and Italy is welcome to take part in the modernization of the Russian economy, President Dmitry Medvedev said during Russian-Italian extended intergovernmental talks with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Friday.
Medvedev and Berlusconi met in the Russian ski resort of Krasnaya Polyana near the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. Berlusconi is on a one-day visit to Russia at the invitation of Medvedev.
"This year is not as bad as the previous one. In terms of our relations, we may call it even good. We should enter the pre-crisis level of turnover [by the end of the year]," Medvedev continued.
"Russia is interested in all leading countries of the European Union taking part in the modernization of Russia's economy. We need technology, skills, help with personnel. In this sense we expect that such kind of relations will develop with Italy," Medvedev said.
Berlusconi agreed with Medvedev's evaluation of the relations between the two countries. "We will continue to expand cooperation in trade and commerce, industry and politics," he said.
SOCHI, December 3 (RIA Novosti)
