Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Kress, we have met here in Tomsk on your initiative today to discuss the trends in innovation development. However, there are, as always, numerous routine issues in the region. Generally, the Tomsk Region is doing fairly well in many areas. What would you pay special attention to?
Viktor Kress: Mr Putin, first of all I would like to thank you because I asked you to visit the region just over a month ago. We never expected you to arrive so soon. I think we had a good discussion at today’s meeting.
First, we are working closely on the problems of Tomsk with the Ministry of Economic Development. Second, we have a productive relationship with [Minister of Finance] Alexei Kudrin, who supports us. There are some problems, but we will solve them together.
Vladimir Putin: Good.