Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will meet with his Irish counterpart Mary McAleese in Moscow on Thursday to discuss future cooperation within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Ireland is to assume OSCE's rotating presidency in 2012.

"The heads of state will discuss forming new structures of European security, the development of a strategic partnership between Russia and the EU, including movement towards visa-free travel, and cooperation within the OSCE, taking into account Ireland's future presidency of the organization," the Kremlin's press service said in a statement.

The four-day working visit to Russia by the Irish president is the first since diplomatic relations between Ireland and the USSR were established in 1973.

The two leaders will also discuss ways to boost trade and economic cooperation, primarily in the spheres of innovation and advanced technologies.

Trade between Russia and Ireland grew 25.1 percent in the first five months of 2010, year-on-year, to $444.6 million. With cumulative investment totaling $9.2 billion, Ireland is one of Russia's top ten foreign investors.

MOSCOW, September 9 (RIA Novosti)