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Vladimir Putin met with President of Ecuador Rafael Correa

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Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,
We are very glad to welcome you to Russia. We have heard a great deal about you. Our mutual friend Hugo Chavez has been telling us a lot about you.

We follow your work and your domestic and foreign policy closely. I am pleased to note that although the total trade between our two countries is not large, it has not suffered much as a result of the world financial and economic crisis. It has dropped by just around 15 percent, and the outlook is good.

We are aware of your country's plans for development in the coming years. And I am sure you know that several Russian companies are prepared to take part in this joint work.

We are very glad to see you.

Rafael Correa: (as translated): Thank you very much. The pleasure is all ours. We are happy to be visiting the Russian Federation.

Although there have been diplomatic relations between Ecuador and the Soviet Union, and later between Ecuador and Russia, for more than 60 years, this is the first visit to Russia by an Ecuadorian President. Incredible things sometimes happen on this planet! But now we must accept what is history and make up for lost time.

In spite of the large distances separating our countries and the differences in culture and language, we have much in common with Russia. The Russian people are invincible, and their spirit of justice and spirit of freedom are invincible. We share that spirit, Mr Prime Minister.

We remember the sacrifice the Russian people made to stop Nazism and ensure freedom and independence for the whole world. Today I visited the Unknown Soldier's Tomb and paid tribute to the dead. The Soviet Union lost 26 million lives in order to vanquish Nazism.

We would like to develop the broadest possible relations between our two countries. And we have been very appreciative of the policy you started, and which is now being carried on by President Medvedev, of rapprochement with Latin America.

Trade with Ecuador is modest by Russian standards, but it is very important for us. Russia is a very important market for Ecuador, and our trade has doubled over the past few years. But we still have a lot to do.