Putin-Saakashvili Talks Launched in St. Petersburg

President Saakashvili has launched talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Tbilisi-based Imedi TV reported.

The talks, which started almost three-hours late, will mainly focus on the secessionist conflicts, according to Georgian officials.

Sergey Prikhodko, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said on June 13 that the meeting between the Russian and Georgian leaders ?will give a positive impulse to improve the overall atmosphere in the relationship between the two countries,? Interfax news agency reported.

Although no major breakthrough is expected in bilateral ties after these talks, officials in Tbilisi say that the launch of a top-level dialogue should in itself be regarded as a positive sign.

Saakashvili and Putin agreed to hold talks during a phone conversation on June 3, which, according to the Russian President?s press office, took place at the request of Mikheil Saakashvili.

President Saakashvili arrived in St. Petersburg on the evening on June 13. Saakashvili was met at the airport by St. Petersburg city municipality officials.

Before his meeting with President Saakashvili on June 13, Vladimir Putin participated in the 10th International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg and held a number of meetings and bilateral talks, including with top-executives of foreign companies, as well as with Finnish President Tarja Halonen, Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalv?tis, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, according to the Russian President?s press office.

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