ER-RIYADH, February 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's RIA Novosti news agency signed a cooperation agreement with the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on the sidelines of the Russian leader's landmark visit to the richest Arab nation.

The document, signed by RIA Novosti's editor-in-chief Svetlana Mironyuk and Saudi Minister of Culture Iyad Madani, is designed to improve understanding between the two nations and strengthen friendship and cooperation.

Under the agreement, the two news agencies will exchange news materials and services, offer reciprocal help to correspondents and share experience through mutual training.

Established in 1971, SPA is a source of official information about the Saudi kingdom. It provides news in Arabic, English and French round-the-clock and has a broad correspondent network inside the country and bureaus across the world.

RIA Novosti is the only Russian media that has its own bureau in Saudi Arabia.