During the course of their talk, Vladimir Putin and Silvio Berlusconi discussed aspects of bilateral relations and reviewed the implementation of the agreements reached during the recent Russian-Italian meeting on the island of Sardinia in light of the state visit to Italy by President Putin scheduled for November.
The discussion of broader interaction between Russia and the European Union in light of the next summit scheduled to be held in Rome was continued.
The Russian President wished Silvio Berlusconi a happy birthday.
The Russian head of state also sent a message to the Italian Prime Minister which read, in part:
“Today, Russian-Italian interaction is dynamically developing at all levels. I am convinced that the positive atmosphere of bilateral cooperation will contribute to a new quality of relations between Russia and the European Union. This is especially relevant because Italy is the current president of the EU.
“I look forward to the meeting in Rome, which I am sure will benefit our countries and peoples and the building of a truly united Europe.”