Putin arrives in Brussels for economic cooperation talks

.BRUSSELS, February 24 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin arrived in Brussels for talks with the European Commission over the
main problems of economic cooperation between Russia and the European
Union.
The main program of Putin's working visit will begin on Thursday,
February 24: he will take part in a meeting in the Russian government -
European Commission format, and have talks with European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Union President Herman Van
Rompuy
The parties are expected to give priority to the new basic Russia-EU
agreement, the problem of Russia's joining the World Trade Organization,
important projects in economic and energy cooperation, the implementation
of the joint Partnership for Modernization initiative and industrial
policy issues.
The talks in the Russian government - European Commission format will
take place ahead of bilateral contacts between Russian ministers and EU
commissioners.