MOSCOW, May 8 (RIA Novosti) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi could visit Russia next week, a Russian diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on Friday.
Berlusconi was due to visit Russia on April 5-9 along with an 800-member business delegation, but cancelled the visit following a devastating earthquake in Italy's central Abruzzo region that killed almost 300 people.
"Berlusconi plans to visit Russia. This could take place next week," the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. He added that the exact date was still under discussion.
He said the agenda of the visit would comprise "bilateral and international issues."
The Italian premier forged close ties with Russia under previous president Vladimir Putin. He has defended Moscow in disputes with Western powers and has built close economic links with Russia.
Italian-Russian trade grew 11% to 26.5 billion euros ($35 billion) year-on-year in 2008, with Italian exports accounting for 10.5 billion euros ($13.8 billion) despite the growing effects of the global financial crisis in the second half of the year.
Italy exports cars, equipment, clothes and furniture to Russia. Oil and gas account for 70% of Russian exports to Italy.
