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Friday, 25 February, 2005, 01:05 GMT

Putin to hold talks with Slovaks

Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold meetings with Slovakia's leaders in Bratislava on Friday.

Mr Putin will meet Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda and President Ivan Gasparovic before returning to Moscow.

He is due to lay a wreath at a memorial to thousands of Soviet troops who died liberating the country from the Nazis.

On Thursday Bratislava was the venue for talks between Mr Putin and US President George W Bush, who indicated his "concerns" about Russian democracy.

The BBC's Rob Cameron in Bratislava says after sharing the limelight, the Russian leader will now have the media all to himself.

Friday's talks are expected to focus on Russia's relationship with Slovakia, which joined the EU and Nato last year.

Mr Putin is expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements.

'Russian' democracy

During Mr Putin's meeting with Mr Bush on Thursday, the two leaders stressed their close ties and agreed to accelerate efforts by Russia to gain entry to the World Trade Organization.

But Mr Bush expressed worries that Russia is becoming less democratic.

He said all democracies depended on "rule of law, and protection of minorities, a free press and a viable political opposition".

Mr Putin argued that democracy must be adapted to Russian conditions, taking into account "our history and our traditions".

Mr Bush said the two men agreed that Iran should not have nuclear weapons.

The US has concerns about Russian nuclear co-operation with Iran.

Mr Putin has said there is no evidence that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons.



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Related to this story:
Bush presses Putin on democracy (24 Feb 05 |  Europe )
Bratislava markets summit 'brand' (24 Feb 05 |  Europe )
World Bank praises Slovak reforms (08 Sep 04 |  Business )
Euro-euphoria fades in new states (08 Jun 04 |  Europe )
Timeline: Slovakia (15 May 04 |  Country profiles )
Country profile: Slovakia (14 Dec 04 |  Country profiles )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
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Russian government
Slovak presidency
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