Ahern to meet Putin for EU talks in Moscow

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to travel to Moscow today in his role as president of the European Council of Ministers.

Mr Ahern will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a range of issues relating to EU-Russian affairs.

He will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen and European Commission president Romano Prodi.

The main objective of the talks is to strengthen political and trade links following the accession of eight former Soviet states to the EU on May 1.

Other issues like organised crime, global security and Russia’s plans to join the World Trade Organisation are also expected to be discussed.