The Deputy Prime Minister also discussed the possibility of establishing a Russian-Belgian joint enterprise to excavate the offshore area at the marine trade port of Ust-Luga.

Sharing his impressions from the trip, Mr Ivanov said, in part: "Ust-Luga is developing; this port's development is of great economic and political significance for Russia."

That day, Mr Ivanov also visited the St Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary, where he took part in the ceremony of honouring university veterans and also handing out diplomas cum laude to graduating students.