Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen
Tarja Halonen: (as translated): Mr Prime Minister, my dear friend. I think I should repeat what I said earlier. You have had a very difficult day; you have discussed a great deal of questions. It seems to me that you had a very good, productive day.
Generally speaking, we ought to remember the past and try to make the world even better.
Vladimir Putin: Indeed, our talks today were very good and very comprehensive. Today we have covered practically every question of interest to us regarding our trade and economic relations.
I have just now concluded a meeting with some business representatives. It too was, in my view, a very substantial and interesting discussion, which could be put into practice by developing those business initiatives that are needed during the crisis and which could generate a strategy for our longer-term partnership. Overall, I am very pleased.
Tarja Halonen: That is very good. As you know, I am planning to visit St Petersburg on Friday on President Medvedev's invitation. There I will meet our very good friends.
Vladimir Putin: I would like to pass on his very best wishes to you. The President and I spoke just before I set off on this trip.
Тarja Halonen: Very good. I think that your initiative for establishing this forum in St Petersburg has got off to a good start. I looked at the list of participants; it is a very long and interesting list.
