Putin says talks with Bush will be friendly

NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he was looking forward to warm and friendly talks with U.S. President George W. Bush, which will respect the interests of both countries.

Putin will fly to Bush's family residence in Maine on Sunday for two days of talks which will likely cover contentious issues such as U.S. plans for a missile defence shield in Europe, and proposed independence for the Serbian province of Kosovo.

"In politics there is nearly always competition going on. The important thing is that this competition should be in accordance with definite rules and that each others' interests should be respected," he said in reply to a question at his dacha, 10 km (6 miles) outside Moscow.

"I hope that my dialogue with this person (Bush), with whom I have very warm and friendly relations, will have precisely that character."

Putin met reporters and athletes at his dacha ahead of a July 4 vote on where the 2014 winter Olympics will be held.