Putin says Italy important partner

(ANSA) - Moscow, May 17 - Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the importance of relations with Rome in a joint press conference held after a bilateral meeting with Premier Paolo Gentiloni in Sochi. "Italy is an important partner for Russia," he said. "It is one of the key countries in our foreign trade. I want to stress the importance of today's meeting with Premier Paolo Gentiloni. We discussed many issues".