Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with US President George W. Bush

During the talk, which took place on Mr Putin's initiative, he thanked the outgoing President for cooperation and referred to their relations as friendly, outspoken and pragmatic.

He mentioned great progress in bilateral trade and economic partnership, and the Russian-US anti-terrorist alliance in the previous years.

Mr Putin said he hoped that his contacts with Mr Bush would continue after the latter leaves his post.