Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived in Seoul, where he will hold bilateral talks with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak and take part in a G20 summit, RIA Novosti reported.
During their two-day talks, Medvedev and Lee will discuss cooperation between the countries in the energy, space, shipbuilding, fishing and military spheres during Medvedev's visit to Seoul, Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko said.
More than twenty documents, including a roadmap on Russian gas supplies to South Korea, are expected to be signed during the talks, the second meeting between Medvedev and Lee in the past two month.
The two leaders are going to discuss the diversification of economic cooperation between the countries, particularly by increasing exports of hi-tech equipment.
"The parties intend to begin drawing up a joint partnership program aimed at modernization and innovative development," Prikhodko said.
Telecommunication, banking, the commercialization of innovative technologies, and environmental protection have been named as spheres of strategic cooperation between the countries, he added.
The issues of regional cooperation, especially in Siberia and the Far East, are also on the agenda, Prikhodko said.
Medvedev and Lee are also expected to address the North Korean nuclear issue during their talks.
The Russian president told South Korean media on the eve of his visit to Seoul that implementation of three-party projects between Russia and South and North Korea would help normalize the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The construction of a pipeline to pump Russian gas via North Korea, linking the Trans-Korean Railroad with the Trans-Siberian Railway and the construction of an electricity transmission line between Russia and South Korea are among such projects. However, Medvedev said the implementation of such projects will only be possible if "tensions reduce on the Korean Peninsula and if the two Koreas follow the path of national reconciliation."
"We would like to give an additional impetus to negotiations on the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects," Prikhodko said. "Direct support of the South Korean authorities will certainly be very important."
Lee and Medvedev last met in Moscow in 2008, when the two presidents agreed to step up bilateral cooperation, including in international effort to resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula.