Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is on a working visit to Astrakhan, held a meeting with the Secretary General of the National Security Council of Saudi Arabia, Prince Bandar ben Abdel Aziz al-Saud
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Your Highness, allow me to welcome you. I was pleased to hear from our colleagues that the relations with Saudi Arabia, thanks to His Majesty the King and your support, are developing successfully.
I am glad to meet you again and to discuss how, in your opinion, our bilateral affairs are going, and of course, I would be glad to share with you the information on the situation in the region.
Welcome.
Bandar ben Abdel Aziz al-Saud: Thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister. We are particularly grateful for the opportunity to visit this wonderful region in Russia. Permit me to convey to you the best wishes from the King of Saudi Arabia and the Prime Minister, King Abdullah. The King and the Government of Saudi Arabia are deeply committed to the development of strategic relations with your country.
We have the highest regard for the traditional role that Russia and the Russian people have played in history. We would like, among other things, to discuss regional and international issues that are of direct relevance to our national and common interests.
Thank you, Mr Prime Minister.
