Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will pay a working visit to Italy on Sunday to discuss cooperation in energy and science, the press service of the Russian government said in a statement.

The visit will begin on Sunday evening with a private dinner, given by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Putin's honor. Official inter-governmental talks are scheduled for Monday.

"The forthcoming talks are expected to focus on trade and economic cooperation, including large-scale joint projects in energy and high technology, which reflect the strategic nature of the Russian-Italian ties," the press service said.

"The sides will certainly discuss issues of energy, notably the South Stream project and nuclear energy," a source in the Russian government said.

The talks might also touch upon other pressing issues, including the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the new European security treaty proposed by the Russian president, Russia's relations with NATO and EU, WMD non-proliferation and energy security.

The source said that two documents are expected to be signed by the premiers after the talks, concerning the construction of an experimental nuclear fusion reactor on the Russian territory and Russia's help in rebuilding quake-hit Italian city L'Aquila.

The two prime ministers will also discuss last year's agreement on holding the Year of Russian language and culture in Italy and the Year of Italian culture and language in Russia in 2011.

Italy is one of Russia's leading trade partners, with bilateral trade reaching its all-time maximum of $52.9 billion in 2008. The figure declined in 2009 to $32.9 due to financial crisis.

The two countries are involved in numerous joint projects, such as South Stream gas pipeline construction, development and production of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft and modernizing Russia's railway network.