Putin arrived for two days visit.

Russian president, Vladimir Putin, arrived in Madrid morning February 8, for a two day official visit, his second to Spain since 2000, the overriding objective of which is to improve economic relations between the two countries. A meeting with president Zapatero at the Moncloa Palace is expected to cover topics such as: cooperation to combat international terrorism, the Iraq nuclear crisis, Islamic reaction to the publication of cartoons ridiculing the prophet Mohammed, although it is expected that most of their time together will be spent discussing economic issues. Mr Putin and his wife, Liudmila, lunched at the El Pardo Palace with King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, and the Prince and Princess of Asturias. Later, he will attend the House of Congress, where he will be invited as guest of honour at the weekly control session. The Putins had dined at the Royal Palace in evening, once again as guests of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Curiously, Mr Putin was re-elected on the 14th March 2004, the same day that the PSOE ousted the PP at the last general elections.