MOSCOW. Nov 10: Russia has reached a tentative agreement on food aid with the European Union just days after completing a similar deal with the United States, news reports said Tuesday, reports AP.

Under the plan. Russia would purchase food worth 400 million European currency units ($480 million) and receive EU humanitarian aid worth 10 million to 12 million ecus ($12 lo 14 million). Deputy Prime Minister Gennady Kulik said, according to Russian news agencies.

The two sides will meet shortly to finalise the deal, he said. EU officials said Monday that a deal was in the works, but have not yet announced any agreement.

The food purchased by the Russian government would be sold on the Russian domestic market with the profits spent on social programme. Kulik said. Russia wants the humanitarian aid to be targeted primarily toward its frigid northern regions, he said.

The report comes Just four days after Russia and the United States signed a $625 million agreement for 3.1 million tons of US food aid. including wheat, corn, pork and beef.

Russia's economic crisis, combined with drought and falling food imports, have raised concerns about the country's food supplies heading into the winter. No serious food shortages have been reported, but the government wants to ensure that plenty is on hand.

Meanwhile. Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov rounded up several of his top Cabinet ministers and head to parliament in a bid to win broad support for his economic recovery programme.

The session was closed, but was expected to revolve around an anti-crisis plan that was approved by the Cabinet 10 days ago. The major themes have been widely discussed, but the government has yet to release all the details.

Russia's economic crisis hit almost three months ago. and Primakov's government has moved slowly to put together a response. The prime minister has sought to stabilise the shrinking economy and has not taken any drastic steps.

Primakov still has wide respect among the various political factions, but liberal critics say he’s too hesitant to pursue genuine market reforms.