Russia and Belgium discuss trade, energy and international affairs

Russia and Belgium have discussed trade and economic co-operation between the two countries. They may build a major gas-storage depot to transport gas to third countries.

During  talks with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the development in relations between Russia and Belgium.

The Russian leader stressed the two countries share mutual interests in  diamond production and trade, as well as in electricity, gas and nuclear energy.

The Russian President also announced the possibility the two nations may build a major gas-storage depot to transport gas to third countries.

“We could implement a large project which would be useful not only for Russia and Belgium, but for Europe as a whole. I am talking about the construction of a gas-storage facility which would be large even by European standards, and would ship gas to several countries in Europe and the UK,” Mr. Putin said.

A number of international issues such as the Iranian nuclear problem, the status of Kosovo, and the situation in Lebanon were also on the agenda.