Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr. President and friends, I am very pleased to welcome you to the headquarters of the government of the Russian Federation. I am happy to note that your visit has been very effective. The documents that have now been approved and signed, of course, will form the basis for strengthening our cooperation.

Slovenian firms are operating in 50 Russian regions, and we are pleased that this list continues to grow. Unfortunately, last year our trade turnover fell by 41%, but this year, over eight months, it has already increased by 62%.

We are pleased that we have the opportunity to cooperate and that we have developed new areas of cooperation. I am referring to telecommunications, communications, transportation and some other areas of cooperation.

Of course, the South Stream pipeline is very important in terms of common energy projects.  I would like to inform you that, just three days ago in Bulgaria, we signed some very important documents enabling us to begin practical work. It is a matter of establishing a joint venture that will begin operating on Bulgarian territory.

Very glad to see you. Welcome!

Danilo Turk (as translated): Thank you, Mr Prime Minister. I am glad that we are meeting again, especially in circumstances that give us a new perspective.

We agreed on this visit a few months ago. Recently, we have expedited work in preparation for signing all the agreements.

We are pleased that we managed to sign the declaration on partnership in modernisation.  Accordingly, we become involved in moderniastion in a broader European scope.

We have high hopes for several other agreements signed here that give us prospects for expanding cooperation in other areas.

Today five ministers are here with me who have had very lively interactions, and I am sure that they have had productive meetings.

I will also have the opportunity to visit St. Petersburg and Samara, where there will be an opportunity to discuss a variety of projects.