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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

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Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Esteemed Mister President, dear Lula! We are very glad to see you here in Moscow.

I am very pleased that relations between our countries are successfully developing and moving forward.

Brazil has become a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council, which today creates additional opportunities. But unfortunately, the economic crisis has had a negative impact on us. Bilateral trade has fallen significantly. I believe that you and your delegation's visit are very timely in this respect. We have many, you might say grandiose, plans in energy and advanced technology, space exploration and agriculture.

Brazil is one of the largest suppliers of agricultural products to the Russian market, with exports worth more than $2 billion. And that number only takes into account meat and meat products. The total number is more than $3 billion.

All in all, we have plenty to talk about. I am very glad to see you. Once again, welcome!

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (as translated): First of all, my dear friend, Prime Minister Putin, it is a great pleasure for me to come to Russia for the fourth time.  

I think that this moment is critical both for Brazil and for Russia.

Let's compare trade between our two countries in 2002 with current levels. Our trade grew by 375% before the 2008 economic crisis. In 2009 we faced some problems, and our trade dropped by 46% due to the global crisis, which we all know well. But in 2010 we see that the situation is improving.

My friend Vladimir Putin knows that we want balanced and equal [trade] relations. But we still do not have such relations today. That is why we need to discuss these problems more thoroughly. To make it so that our trade benefits.

For instance, we have an opportunity to buy wheat in Russia. We would also like to buy Russian fertilisers that we do not have and that we do not produce. We also want to buy those products for which you are creating conditions for industrial exchange. So that our relations are more equal and correct.

This morning I met with Brazilian and Russian entrepreneurs. I think we have achieved good results.