Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you in Moscow and the government of the Russian Federation.
Relations between Russia and Namibia have a long and profound history. We are very glad to welcome our friends to Moscow.
We still have to do much to build up trade and economic ties, but I think the outlook is very promising. Leading Russian companies have expressed an interest in your country's markets.
We would be happy to apply our good relations to the issue of economic development.
Hifikepunye Pohamba (as translated): Thank you very much, your Excellency, Mr Prime Minister. First of all, I'd like to say that we are very grateful to be here in Moscow at the invitation of his Excellency President Dmitry Medvedev. This gave us the opportunity to meet you in your capacity as the prime minister.
It goes without saying that Russia and Namibia must strengthen their relations, especially in trade.
Our countries have long enjoyed good relations, dating back to our struggle for independence.
Namibia has much to offer Russia, especially with regard to mutual trade.
We are a small country in terms of the population, but we have enormous natural riches.
Regrettably, we cannot use our riches for the benefit of our people, because we have a shortage of skilled labour. We therefore attach great importance to our cooperation in the field of education.
We were greatly honoured by the visit of the president of the Russian Federation last year. We discussed bilateral trade, among other things. In particular, we spoke at length about the mining industry, especially the production of uranium, because of Namibia's vast uranium reserves.