Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with Pope Benedict XVI within the framework of his visit to Italy. In the course of the meeting RF President and Pope reached an agreement to establish bilateral diplomatic relations at a higher level. Under the signed decree, Russian permanent mission in Vatican will become an embassy.

Dmitry Medvedev and Pope Benedict XVI appreciated high the dialogue between Russia and Vatican. The two men also exchanged views on the global economic and political situation and the current challenges to peace and security, RF President’s press secretary Natalia Timakova stated.

As NEWS.am reported previously, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Italy at the invitation of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi for the participation of the regular round of Russian-Italian intergovernmental consultations.