The bilateral meeting was an informal one, no institutional agreements were signed but it stood as a unique opportunity to analyze the state of current relations and pave way for stronger ties.
Berlusconi said that the year 2011 is set to be crucial in advancing cultural relations as well thanks to two major events: the simultaneous celebration of both the Italian culture year in Russia and of the Russian culture year in Italy.
Among the events planned, special tourism projects and documentaries will be playing a major role.
"The Italian language in Russia is one of our core values," Medvedev observed, adding how strategic reciprocal knowledge of each other's language was not only at an institutional, political and economic level but also among youth.
As a personal commitment, Berlusconi pledged to push forward the European Union's "partnership for modernization" aimed at easing visa restrictions for Russians.
The two leaders discussed as well the results of the recent G8 and G20 summits, agreeing upon the importance of maintaining the G8's current format as a helpful instrument of debate and meetings between heads of state.
Other topics covered by Berlusconi and Medvedev were the need to revamp peace talks in the Middle East and Russia's role in European safety.
