A multinational approach to world issues and energy supplies were at the center of the informal talks between Italian Premier Romano Prodi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in this Black Sea report town.
"We must apply a form of active multilateralism in order to create a strong force for peace in those areas where peace has been lacking for too long," Prodi told Putin.
In regards to bilateral relations, the Italian premier said they were good and added "we must continue down this path, taking into consideration that energy is the starting point and sets the example for cooperation in other fields, including scientific and cultural exchanges".
During their meeting, the two leaders confirmed that the the fourth Italo-Russian intergovernmental conference will be held in the southern Italian city of Bari in March.
Diplomatic sources said Putin would most likely arrive in Rome on March 13 to then travel to Bari the following day.
Prodi and Putin also discussed relations between Russia and the European Union and the Italian premier observed how the EU needed to become a "strong, credible and stable talking partner" for Russia.
In an interview published Tuesday by the Russian daily Izvestia, Prodi stressed the "essential nature" of cooperation between Italy and Russia, especially now that Italy holds one of the non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council.
Prodi confirmed that energy would be on the agenda of his talks with Putin because "energy is a key question in international relations and directly involves the economies, security and consumers of the European Union".
"Access, transparency and long-term contracts should represent the basis of relations between Russia and the EU in regards to energy," the Italian premier said.
"Italy believes that the EU, as a consumer, should speak with Russian in a single voice. And Russia must be ready to speak with the EU as a single body. Negotiations between two blocks are often difficult, but in the long run they bring benefits to all," Prodi said.
