NOVO-OGARYOVO, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he expected Russia-Thailand trade to hit $1.7 billion this year. "Our trade and economic relations have been developing intensively," the Russian president said Saturday at a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Chinnawat.
"We regard Thailand as a promising partner," he said congratulating Chinnawat on Thailand's recent economic achievements.
"A low inflation level in the conditions of high annual economic growth rates is a good factor," Putin added.
Chinnawat said he admired Russia's high economic growth and expressed hope that his visit would promote bilateral security, economic and political relations.
He also said he expected Putin to attend an ASEAN summit in December 2005.
The Thai prime minister expressed his condolences to Putin over fatalities in a recent militant attack on Nalchik.
