During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov and Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Trinidad Jiménez discussed, among other issues, preparations for the Year of Russia in Spain and the Year of Spain in Russia. Alexander Zhukov said that the countries have planned about 350 events for 2011, which will be held not only in big cities like Moscow, St Petersburg and Madrid, but in Russian and Spanish regions as well.

The Year of Spain in Russia will get underway in St Petersburg in February with a Museo del Prado exhibition. Turning to economic cooperation, Mr Zhukov mentioned such important events as the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June and the Russian-Spanish innovation business forum in Madrid in May, aimed at developing cooperation between the two countries. According to the deputy prime minister, Spain will be Russia's main partner at the traditional St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Russia is especially interested in Spanish-made high technology, such as high-speed trains and alternative energy, Mr Zhukov said.

The deputy prime minister also said that Russia wants Spain to take part in large infrastructure projects in Russia, including preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He noted that Spanish companies have a vast experience in building stadiums and other sporting facilities.