MOSCOW, June 20 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Italy have agreed to work out a mechanism for consultations on Iran's controversial nuclear program, the Russian leader said Tuesday.
"The [Italian] prime minister and I agreed to create a mechanism for consultations," Vladimir Putin said following talks with Italy's new prime minister, Romano Prodi.
"Italy is one of Russia's most important partners in Europe. Interaction with Iran is very important for the Italian Republic since the volume of economic contacts is very large," Putin said. "In formulating our positions in the negotiating process [on Iran's nuclear problem], we will take Italy's position into account."
For his part, the Italian prime minister said the system of mutual consultations was essential for coordination of efforts to resolve the Iran crisis.
Prodi said he had stated publicly that Iran was Italy's no.1 commercial partner.
