Vice President Biden and Democratic Candidate Bernie Sanders Meet Privately

— -- Vice President Joe Biden -- who recently said that he would not run in 2016 -- met privately with Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders Thursday.

During a one hour conversation at the Vice President’s residence at the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C., the two former colleagues discussed campaign finance reform and a free education plan.

“I look forward to working with President Obama and Vice President Biden to tackle some of the major issues facing our country,” Sanders said in a statement to ABC News.

The two men decided to meet the day Biden announced he would not run in 2016, Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs said.

Briggs said that the Vermont senator called the Vice President that day, and during that phone call, the two arranged a meeting.

Earlier this fall, Biden made headlines when he met with another progressive superstar Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Sanders did not ask Biden for his endorsement in the Democratic primary. Biden has praised Sanders many times in the past. Just a few weeks ago, while at a summit in New York City, the Vice President said, “He’s a great guy by the way, he really is.”

Biden has not indicated whether he will or won’t endorse during the primary, but he has said he won’t stay silent during the campaign.

“The VP is happy to meet with any candidate who would like to meet,” an aide to Biden said.

Having spent many years in the senate, the Vice President and Sanders have worked together on a number of issues. Today, a campaign rep for Sanders said, “They are friends from way back.”

According to the campaign, the two men met one-on-one while staff waited outside.