Zatlers makes historic Russia visit

MOSCOW - Latvian president Valdis Zatlers has gone on an official visit to the Kremlin, becoming the first Latvian president to do so since the 1994 agreement to withdraw Russian troops from Latvian soil.

During his trip - which involves three days in Moscow and two in St. Petersburg - Zatlers will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, as well as a large business delegation.

The two presidents discussed a number of controversial issues during the visit, including questions surrounding Russians living in Latvia, the "complicated" history between the two countries, and the possibility of establishing a visa-free regime.

Zatlers is expected to sign 8 different agreements on cooperation while in Moscow. These areas include:

1) Cooperation during emergency situations;
2) Ease of travel for border residents;
3) Cooperation in areas of social security;
4) An agreement avoiding double-taxation for companies
5) Environmental protection;
6) Tourism;
7) Health Care;
8) Fighting crime.