Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Ms Otunbayeva, we have already had the opportunity to start exchanging views on our bilateral relations in St Petersburg, and I am glad we can resume our dialogue.

We welcome the parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan and hope that the Cabinet will be formed before long.

You know that we did the utmost to support Kyrgyzstan and its people when your country was going through hard times. We promptly provided the necessary humanitarian aid and support. But, of course, we need to promote a more practical partnership and set day-to-day working relations on track. We have everything we need to achieve this, and I am very pleased we have the opportunity to talk about this today.

Roza Otunbayeva: Mr Putin, thank you for the opportunity to meet with you today. First of all, I would like to thank the Russian Federation and you personally, because it was highly important for us to hear your voice and receive your support in those turbulent days. We did get it and are still getting it. We are doing whatever we can today to restore law and order in the country. Today, factions in the parliament are already having heated consultations in order to form a majority coalition in the next few days. Then we shall have a government, I hope. I am in the process of turning over my duties to the government that is currently being formed. Life goes on. I believe that whoever comes in [to lead the country’s new government] cannot wait to take over and proceed with the work ahead.

Now I would like to discuss with you these vital issues of Kyrgyzstan’s economy.