VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
"As for the Nord Stream, I have reiterated on a number of occasions that certain parties would like to represent this project as part of an anti-Polish agenda. There is no anti-Polish implication here. I just mentioned the Russian pipeline on Polish territory. It's only natural that Russia and its European gas consumers would want to diversify gas transport systems. What's so extraordinary about that? It is common practice throughout the world."
"We realise that the Ukrainian economy currently consumes as much energy as it needs. We will proceed from that. As for the details, we'll leave it up to businesses to settle between themselves. We hope they will do so."
"I have mentioned that during the past two years Russian-Polish relations have improved, becoming friendlier and more business-like. You were right when you said that in the past our relations were not as cordial.<...> I am grateful to the incumbent Polish Government, specifically Prime Minister Tusk, for being a counterpart and a partner that I am happy to cooperate with. We can discuss the controversial issues of the past in a calm and benevolent atmosphere, free from political prejudices, as well as develop pragmatic relations in politics and in the economy today, all based on respect for each other's interests. I hope we'll be able to maintain this positive trend, which I mentioned in my brief remarks."
"Poland is doing well economically despite the global crisis. But this in no way means that we should not counter current challenges together. Their number exceeds by far the threats of the global financial and economic crisis. It is clear that we should join our efforts to overcome the current problems, and to avoid difficulties in the future."
"I would like to express my wholehearted gratitude to you for the efforts your Government has taken in the past years to promote bilateral trade and economic relations. Our trade and economic relations rose very high in 2008: Russia became Poland's second largest trade and economic partner after Germany."
"This year marks the 200th anniversary of Finland's inclusion in the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy, and it is a good occasion to admit that relations between our countries are at a very positive level. Even though there are problems stemming from the global economic downturn, life still goes on and so do our relations."
"I fully agree with you that Russia and Bulgaria have special relations. All the projects we have developed in the past are aimed, in part, at strengthening Bulgaria's status as a major energy centre in Europe, and a large transit partner. In fact, these projects are aimed at changing the geopolitical - in this context - status of the country and providing the possibility for additional revenue from commodities transit."
"Russian-Dutch trade and economic relations are developing very successfully. Bilateral trade reached a record of $62 billion last year, and reinvestment reached $45 billion. Direct Dutch investment into the Russian economy stood at over $30 billion. Our joint plan of action will expire soon, and it is high time to lay the foundations for our cooperation over the next several years."
"As you know, cooperation between some Russian and Ukrainian companies is so deep that these companies would go out of business without each other. They would have to close down. This applies, for example, to aircraft building, which has excellent cooperation prospects. Russia has adjusted its policy with regard to An-70. We'll see how we could implement this project. There is much to discuss here."
"Russia has maintained good and long-standing relations with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Bank has invested over $11 billion in Russian projects, involving economic sectors highly important for the country. These include auto industry projects such as the launch of Volkswagen and Toyota assembly plants in Kaluga and St. Petersburg respectively, as well as power grid modernisation in certain Russian regions and a sewage treatment facilities project in St. Petersburg."
