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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with FIFA Inspection Commission members

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Mr Putin said during the meeting that, if Russia's bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup is successful, "we are able to hold it at the highest organizational standards." According to the prime minister, the country's largest stadiums will soon be built or thoroughly overhauled in any case, whether or not Russia is given the right to host the world championships. Mr Putin also said that, if necessary, Russia could offer additional guarantees, such as visa-free entry for the event's participants and guests, and providing transport for them between the cities where the matches are taking place.

Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Let me start by welcoming you to Moscow. First of all, I would like to congratulate FIFA and South African friends and colleagues on their successful organisation of the latest football world championships in Johannesburg. It is a high-profile event and a major effort for any country.

Millions of people across Russia eagerly followed the World Cup, empathising with you and the teams. An estimated 6 million Russians play football, but the number of football fans is certainly much higher. That is why we decided to put our bid in to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In addition, hosting such an important sports event would boost sports infrastructure and football infrastructure in any country, and maybe even more so for Russia. As I understand, this is certainly in line with FIFA's philosophy with regard to organising this kind of event.

As far as I know, Eastern Europe has never hosted the football world championships, which means that it would be especially significant for this part of the world. You have visited St Petersburg; now you have a chance to see what Moscow, Kazan and Sochi have to offer. Kazan will soon host the World Student Games. Modern facilities are being built there for the event. I hope you will be able to see and appreciate them. I recently attended the ceremony marking the start of work on a new stadium there.

Sochi is engaged in what is certainly no less of a project, and which could possibly even be a larger scale project as it prepares for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Local stadiums are being overhauled, and large modern facilities are being built, including a huge arena for the opening and closing nights, right on the Black sea coastline. That arena would also be perfect for football matches.

There are 16 large stadiums in Russia suitable for FIFA World Cup events. They are located in 13 cities and grouped in four clusters; my colleagues will give you more details.

The modernisation of Moscow's stadiums is already underway, as it is in St Petersburg, as you have seen. Still, let me emphasise that we are planning to overhaul, or build, the main sports facilities which could be used for the football championships in any case, whether or not we host the Championships. We are doing this in any case to promote national sports, especially football. If, by any chance, Russia is entrusted with holding the 2018 event, we'll certainly meet all of FIFA's requirements.

There is, of course, a great deal to do, but there's something wonderful about that, I think, and it also coincides with FIFA's goals: the development of football in this part of the world, and in this case, in Russia. We will certainly need your help and advice (consultations as well as friendly encouragement), and cooperation similar to the kind we have established with the International Olympic Committee over preparations for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

We handed over our bid book in May. The presentation took place in Johannesburg. We also offered FIFA the government guarantees required for the decision to be made. We are ready to provide additional guarantees, such as visa-free entry for the event's participants and guests as well as transport provision for them between the cities where the games will take place.

We are confident that, if this honour is granted to Russia, we will make sure everything is perfect, on schedule and in line with your requirements, meeting the highest international standards. We will use government resources (the required funds will be allocated from the federal budget) and also raise private financing.

We are certain that we can meet the highest organisational standards. There is no doubt that the athletes and guests will also find visiting Russia exciting, because Russian culture is highly diverse and fascinating.

Over 100 different ethnic groups live in Russia; people here follow a wide range of religions. Most Russians are Orthodox Christians, but Muslims account for 10% of the population. The four official religions are Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism.

Therefore, we have a lot to show to the participants and guests of the football world championships, and I hope you will find your trip interesting as well. Welcome.

Harold Mayne-Nicholls (as translated): Thank you, Mr Putin. We arrived yesterday, and are really very pleased to be here in your wonderful country.

We liked St Petersburg very much indeed. It is a marvellous city. The governor was very friendly and both told and showed us a great deal. The Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy, the Russian Football Union's chairman, and members of Russia's bid team answered all our questions and did everything they could to help us in our work.

It was very important for us to hear you say that the Russian government will support the construction of major sports facilities irrespective of whether or not it wins the December contest to host the World Cup.

For FIFA, all related to football, expanding the sports infrastructure, attracting more young people, men and women, to football, increasing the number of players and the quality of the game itself are all vital.

Whatever decision is taken in December, FIFA will, of course, support the further promotion of sport, and especially football, in Russia and is ready to offer the Russian Football Union whatever help it needs.

The Russian government has given FIFA state guarantees. We were also happy to hear you say that you are able to offer additional state guarantees at FIFA's request.

It was also important for us to hear you talk about possible introduction of a visa-free regime for the participants and guests of the World Cup. A great number of football lovers would come to St Petersburg, Moscow and other Russian cities if the World Cup is hosted in Russia, so a visa-free regime is of the utmost importance.

We were happy to hear that all stadiums will be built on time and that the infrastructure, including airports and hotels, will be renovated in preparation for the World Cup. It is very important that the Football Union is freed from this routine work. It will be able to engage in football and the further development of this sport and that money for infrastructure expansion will come from the government and private individuals.

We place great store on what you said about the diverse history and culture of the Russian Federation, and the great variety of peoples living there. Football is open to all people, all nationalities, and your country is also very open, as we have seen.

Finally, I want to say that we appreciate the warm welcome we got in Russia. These twenty-four hours that we have spent in Russia have been great. I believe that football can build ties of friendship across the world.

Thank you for making time to meet with us. We highly value this opportunity to talk with you.