Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Good evening, Mr Prime Minister, colleagues. I am very glad to see you.
First of all, let me highlight that we are pleased with our current level of relations. Trade turnover is growing between our two countries, and Slovenia's trade with Russia is even bigger than Russian turnover with Slovenia. This isn't a big difference, but it suggests that our relations have diversified lately.
We know of your interest in promoting specific large projects and we will be happy do discuss them with you.
Borut Pahor (as translated): Mr Prime Minister, first of all let me thank you for the opportunity of meeting with you today. I know how many issues and responsibilities you have, so it is important that we cover the issues that are of interest to both sides.
The partnership between our two countries is growing stronger. I mean not only political cooperation, which is highly developed already, but also economic cooperation which is gaining momentum. It is important that there are ties between the Russian and Slovenian people. Being the westernmost Slavic country, Slovenia is trying to preserve its Slavic identity through membership in international organisations such as the Forum of Slavic Cultures. We greatly support such initiatives.
I am very grateful to the Russian Government for understanding our needs and interests.
Although a much smaller market than Russia, Slovenia certainly keeps the doors open to Russian businesses. We are to make a decision on a project which is very important for both Russia and Slovenia, the South Stream gas pipeline. I believe that we are very close to agreement on the issue.
I do not know if you and I should go into details of the process, or maybe it would be better to stand aside and let the diplomats and negotiators complete their job.
Vladimir Putin: I think we must discuss the details.
Borut Pahor: Must we?
Vladimir Putin: Yes.
Borut Pahor: Then I would like us to discuss several issues that our negotiators have failed to reach agreement on. Our Government has our parliament's mandate to insist, in negotiations, that the joint company be located in Slovenia, and that it should control at least 50% of the venture.
