Transcript of the beginning of the talks:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, I’m very pleased to receive you here in Moscow. We are in constant contact with the leaders of the French Republic and I must note that despite the complications of the previous year we have overcome the problems of the global financial crisis and have actually matched the level of 2008 in trade. This means more jobs and industrial recovery. This is a very good and positive sign.

We still have much to discuss, as we have many avenues of cooperation and many major joint projects. We are very glad to see you. Welcome to Moscow!

Francois Fillon (as translated): First of all, I’d like to congratulate you …

Vladimir Putin: Merci beaucoup!

Francois Fillon: … on winning the right to host the FIFA 2018 World Cup. I hope that the French team will make it to this tournament and will live up to expectations.

I’d also like to thank you for supporting the resolution on Côte d’Ivoire in the UN Security Council because I think it will help restore democracy in that country.

I’m very happy about the excellent relations that Russia and France have in the political, economic and cultural fields. This is my third visit to Russia as prime minister. You have visited Paris three times. Mr Dmitry Medvedev also came recently (for a third time as well), and his visit went very well. Owing to all this, France is fifth in the world in terms of exports and investment in Russia.

Both the Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia have been a great success. I’m very sorry that I couldn’t attend the closing ceremony yesterday.

I’d like our friendly relations to continue in the future. A symbolic event will take place next spring – the unveiling of a monument to the Russian soldiers killed in action during World War I. I think this will be a great event.

We will also continue cooperation in energy and aeronautics and will discuss the construction of new ships. Today, we are laying the groundwork for our cooperation in agriculture and healthcare. We will also be able to discuss pressing issues related to family policy.

Until recently we have only dreamed of an enormous common space between the Atlantic Ocean and the Urals and now we are translating this dream into reality.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you for congratulating us on winning the bid for the FIFA World Cup. I know that many European FIFA members supported it.

We are sorry that the weather prevented you from attending the closing ceremony of the Year of France in Russia and the Year of Russia in France. But, should you want to attend it, we can hold it as an encore.

Francois Fillon: Shall we bet?

Vladimir Putin: Why bet? You only have to say the word and I’m sure our designers will do this with pleasure for our French friends. I don’t even have the slightest doubt about this. Nobody will have to push anyone. They will do this from the bottom of their heart.

Francois Fillon: Obviously, we won’t make them do anything, but I’d be very pleased to participate in an event in the Bolshoi Theatre again.

Vladimir Putin: We are inviting you to the opening after the renovation.