Russia and Italy could exceed the pre-crisis levels of trade by the end of 2010, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi on Friday, RIA Novosti reported.
"I am convinced that by yearend we will reach the pre-crisis levels and maybe even exceed them," Putin said during a meeting with Berlusconi outside Moscow.
In 2008, bilateral trade totaled $52.9 billion, and in 2009, $32.9 billion.
"We are satisfied with the way our trade and economic ties are developing," the Russian premier said.
Berlusconi also praised relations. "Our relations cannot be better than now," he said.