Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates is in Moscow to discuss bilateral co-operation and the relationship between Russia and the European Union, as Lisbon takes over its presidency later this year.

During the meeting Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socratesh have focused on the new risks for the new system of international relations in Europe, in lieu of the U.S. plans to install anti-missile systems in Europe.

“Our position is well-known,” Vladimir Putin said. “We believe that attempts to turn Europe into a powder keg and to deploy new kinds of weapons there are harmful and dangerous. It poses unnecessary risks for international and European relations”.

Important international issues, like the status of Kosovo, the Middle East peace process, and the situation in Afghanistan are also on the agenda.

Portugal will also host the next EU-Russia summit in October 2007. Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Portugal's Jose Socrates are expected to discuss economic collaboration between their two countries, especially in the field of hi-tech.

In addition, some important international issues, like the status of Kosovo, the Middle East peace process, and the situation in Afghanistan are also on the agenda.