“The experience that the 14 leading Dutch energy and infrastructure companies participating in the Delta project have accumulated in over a century of work on the international market and in Russia, is very valuable for Russia’s exploration of its Arctic resources. We highly appreciate the initiative that the Dutch side has taken in jointly developing gas deposits on this territory,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Ivanov emphasised that there was a lot of work ahead in Russia's Arctic regions. "The problem is the work has to be done at a time of tight financing, but we are also pressed for time. If we do not begin development of the Arctic soon, someone else will do it," he said.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the Minister of Sports, Tourism, and Youth Policy, Vitaly Mutko discussed youth policy and tourism during the global financial and economic crisis.

During the meeting, the situation at Saturn Scientific-Production Association was discussed.

“We have decided to establish a Customs Union with our closest partners: Kazakhstan and Belarus. This is our key priority.”

The meeting prioritised the signing of standard contracts, payment deadlines for goods delivered and the omission of terms forbidding unrestricted goods sales.

Vladimir Putin and Alexei Miller discussed preparation for the autumn and winter heating season and relations with Ukraine and Turkmenistan.