PRAGUE, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian and Czech presidents met for talks in Prague Wednesday. The meeting between Vladimir Putin and his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus is being held in Prazsky Hrad, an ancient castle in central Prague, the official residence of the Czech leader.
The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, focusing on trade and economy, as well as pressing international issues.
The narrow-format talks will be followed by a meeting involving the two countries' delegations. The parties will sign a series of documents, and then give a news conference.
The visit is the second leg of Putin's east European tour, and the first time a Russian leader has paid an official visit the Czech Republic in 13 years.
According to Kremlin aide Sergei Prikhodko, relations between Russia and the Czech Republic have recently been on the rise, which the Kremlin sees as a personal achievement of Vaclav Klaus, who it qualifies as "a brilliant economist deserving a Nobel Prize" for his successful handling of Czech economic reforms.
"Although he is a staunch right-winger, he is still very respectful of Russia," Prikhodko said.
Klaus was elected president on February 28, 2003 and has a high domestic popularity rating.
