Vladimir Putin met with his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Ms. Tymoshenko, I am very happy to see you in Moldova, and discuss our many bilateral issues.
The year is running out. We are all living in the difficult conditions linked with the global financial and now also economic crises. Many of our enterprises directly depend on each other in this respect. Our level of cooperation is very high. Under the circumstances we need to take coordinated action more than ever before. We have many subjects to talk about, including energy, high technology, and the iron-and-steel industry. It goes without saying that we should also consider the non-financial sectors, and coordinate our efforts.
Yulia Tymoshenko: I think our meeting today was very important. Now that the financial crisis has enveloped practically the entire world, the CIS prime ministers should meet and discuss our common problems, and a common approach. I believe that today's exchange of experience and of the results produced by the government actions was very important. We left the meeting with our own recipes for countering the global financial crisis in our own countries. Your experience in working with the banking system, and with the non-financial sector is very expedient. You have suggested strategies we can apply in Ukraine as well.
As for our bilateral relations, I think in the past our main obstacle was linked with gas supplies. It seems we agree now that we should sign strategic agreements on gas supplies to Ukraine before the end of November. I believe that our teams are ready to draft the required documents and prepare them for signing within this time limit.
Vladimir Putin: Indeed, a day before yesterday Gazprom's top managers reported the positive dialogue with their Ukrainian counterparts. Needless to say, there are many difficulties, but like you, I hope for a mutual understanding and agreement at the corporate level.
