Upon opening the meeting, Mr Pahor greeted Mr Putin as a personal friend and a friend of Slovenia. He also noted progress in Russian-Slovenian bilateral relations.

Vladimir Putin replied:

"Thank you very much for the invitation. Our relations are truly making good progress. Trade has almost returned to the pre-crisis level. Its volume might be modest, but it is certainly a good trend. A number of Slovenian companies are engaged in diverse industrial projects in Russia, and we greet this partnership in the traditional spirit of hearty relations between our two countries. Our political, cultural, and, surely, economic contacts should rest on the fertile soil of these relations.

We intend to sign a number of documents today concerning energy and our cultural ties. Efficient patterns of cooperation have already emerged, and we believe that these efforts have been fruitful largely due to the benevolent public mood and the stance of your country's leadership – your personal stance, too, Mr Prime Minister. Thank you very much."