STRELNA (near St. Petersburg), July 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to down play Monday the attendance of foreign officials at a Moscow opposition forum earlier in the week.

Following the summit of the Group of Eight industrialized nations in St. Petersburg, journalists asked Putin what he thought about aides to the U.S. Secretary of State taking part in the July 11-12 Another Russia forum.

"I would say it was not entirely correct, but I don't see anything to worry about," he said.

The president said this only proved that democratic processes in Russia were developing normally.

"If representatives of foreign governments believe it possible and proper to support the efforts of our opposition in this area, then it is their choice...this is often a routine diplomatic practice for some countries," Putin said.

In a Web cast during the last day of the forum, the president said foreigners attending the forum were attempting to influence the line-up of political forces in Russia, but they had the right to do so.