Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin backed closer bilateral relations after meeting in Sopot, northern Poland, on Tuesday.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk (R) talks as his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin listens during their meeting at a hotel in Sopot, northern Poland, September 1, 2009.[Xinhua/AFP Photo]

Tuesday marks the 70th anniversary of Germany's Sept. 1, 1939 invasion of Poland, which started World War II. Putin, among otherworld leaders, came to attend commemorations held in the Polish city of Gdansk.

Tusk called his meeting with Putin "another step towards building mutual understanding."

He said Poland is convinced that "wise and honest treatment of truth about the war" will favour good Polish-Russian relations.

Putin said Russia always had great respect for "Polish soldiers and officers who were the first to oppose the Fascist aggressor in1939."

Putin called Sept. 1, 1939 "the most horrific date in the history of the entire world."

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L) chat as they walk along a pier in Sopot September 1, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

"Unfortunately, many wrong steps have been made that led to a full-scale tragedy. Of course, we should understand why such tragedy did happen and, after understanding it, we should continue to go ahead," he said.

The Russian prime minister also thanked Tusk for his government's efforts to improve bilateral cooperation, especially in economic areas.

Following the talks, Polish and Russian officials signed several intergovernmental agreements, including one on navigation on the Vistula bay in central Poland.

The agreements allow for free traffic of Polish ships through the Russian Pilawa straits.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk (R) talks as his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin listens during their meeting at a hotel in Sopot, northern Poland, September 1, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2009)