Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with former Japanese Prime Minister and member of the Japanese Parliament's House of Representatives Yoshiro Mori
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with former Japanese Prime Minister and member of the Japanese Parliament's House of Representatives Yoshiro Mori
The transcript of the meeting's beginning:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Mori, I am very glad to see you. I know that you are involved in a lot of political activities, both in Japan and outside your country, and I appreciate your taking time to return from Africa to meet with me here before your visit to Dublin.
I am well aware that you are closely following the world's current economic situation and take an active stand in Japan's Parliament. I am hoping that our friendly relations and longtime ties will help boost Russian-Japanese links, as always.
Yoshiro Mori: (as translated) Mr Putin, I am very glad to see you again as well. I was looking forward to today's meeting with you. I await the moment when we can overcome the current economic crisis. I believe that you are striving to implement reforms in Russia to make it a great and democratic country.
I know that you continue to have a powerful influence both in Russia and on the international scene as Prime Minister since President Dmitry Medvedev took office, and I feel the deepest respect for you.