Putin said that Russian-French relations are diversified and include cooperation in space, power generation, communications, transport, infrastructure, aviation and military technology. In a word, “we have plenty to talk about,” the Russian prime minister said.

The meeting focused on a discussion of City Hall’s proposal to provide the KVN comedy club with a 7,000 sq m residence. In addition, the prime minister noted that City Hall was willing to offer it financial support in the form of subsidies to cover maintenance and events.

It is the state’s role to ensure that people can at least sense this positive trend, this positive trend of improvement. This is our common task, the government’s task, the prime minister said.

“Even in the period of global turbulence we are preserving the economic growth, stability of major macro economic indicators and serious financial reserves. In the January-September 2011 our GDP increased by 4.2%. By the start of next year we are planning to fully overcome the crisis decline in the economy. In fact, we have already overcome it.”

At the meeting, the prime minister stressed that the Belgorod Region “sets a good example for other regions.” But he said there is still a lot to be done. Additionally, the prime minister instructed that Mr Savchenko respond promptly to a number of issues raised at the Russian Forum of Rural Professionals.

“We’ll be able to breathe new life into the Russian countryside, making our rural communities powerful and prosperous, only if we ensure high social standards.”