Putin urges EU to create common economic space with Russia

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday urged the European
Union to begin discussing his initiative on a common economic space
between Russia and the EU, RIA Novosti reports.

Putin outlined his vision of a future Europe, including the creation
of an economic community from Lisbon to Vladivostok, a free trade zone
and "progressive types of economic integration," in an article
published by Sueddeutsche Zeitung on Thursday.

"The earlier we start the discussion... the faster we will finish it,"
Putin said at a joint press conference after talks with German
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday.

"Ultimately, this idea's implementation will certainly be useful for
both the Russian and European economies," he said.

Putin also said Friday he does not rule out that Russia and the EU may
establish a monetary union someday.