Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited a national hockey team training session in the Ice Palace at Khodynskoye Pole in preparation for the forthcoming Olympics in Vancouver.

Among other themes, they discussed preparations for the 2014 Olympics.

Mr Putin and Mr Chaika discussed how pricеs are determined in the pharmaceutical industry and retail chains, as well as protecting the rights of legal entities and small businesses.

"2008 was successful for the trade and economic ties between our countries - the mutual trade increased by more than one and half times. Under current complicated conditions of the global crisis we intend to exert every effort in order to overcome the influence of the unfavorable world business environment and start new promising projects."

"Russia has maintained good and long-standing relations with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Bank has invested over $11 billion in Russian projects, involving economic sectors highly important for the country. These include auto industry projects such as the launch of Volkswagen and Toyota assembly plants in Kaluga and St. Petersburg respectively, as well as power grid modernisation in certain Russian regions and a sewage treatment facilities project in St. Petersburg."

“We should pay particular attention to the overall safety of students. This includes anti-terrorist and fire-prevention measures, observance of sanitary standards, and safety on the roads and in transport.”

“I would like you to focus on the priorities of the proposed Energy Strategy of Russia until 2030. To begin with, its implementation should fully meet the perspective demand of the national economy for energy resources and strengthen its standing on the global market. I don’t think anyone has any doubts about the eventual resurgence of the domestic and external demand.”