Vladimir Putin’s address:

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, friends,

I am happy to welcome you here in St Petersburg.

This is our second meeting during Russia’s chairmanship in the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Commonwealth works for the benefit of our nations, and I am pleased to say that relations between the CIS countries continue strengthening. Trade between our countries has been growing since the end of the global economic crisis: it increased by almost 30% in January–August 2010 compared to the same period last year, which means that we are moving in the right direction and using the right methods. Our goal is to preserve the dynamic we have achieved. There are still problems, of course, and we have assembled here today to discuss them.