Prime Minister Vladimir Putin noted that it was hard to overestimate the role of parliaments in creating a moral atmosphere of cooperation. He drew attention to the fact that Slovenia was careful about the memory of Russian soldiers killed there during various periods of European history. 

Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Pavel Gantar (As translated): Mr Prime Minister, welcome to the Republic of Slovenia and to our National Assembly. I would like to inform you that your State Duma and Slovenia’s National Assembly maintain a very good relationship. Notably, one example takes place each year at a Russian chapel near Vrsic.

I’m very happy that I will have an opportunity to welcome State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov this year. This will be an opportunity for a broader exchange of opinion between the Russian State Duma and Slovenia’s National Assembly.

Although we maintain extremely good relations, there are always opportunities for improvement in the economic, political, cultural, energy and other spheres.

The National Assembly of Slovenia plays a substantial and decisive role in determining various aspects of the political agenda, including the energy policy. As President of Slovenia’s National Assembly and as a former minister of the environment, I would like to say that, of course, Slovenia considers energy issues to be very important. We prioritise South Stream for precisely this reason, and we will do our best to promote this project.

Vladimir Putin: Mr President, thank you very much for your time and for taking part in this conversation today. Inter-parliamentary work is important to us because national parliaments represent all strata of Slovenian and Russian societies. The parliament plays an important part in inter-state relations because these relations are now above partisan interests. We see that both Slovenia and Russia consider nationwide consensus a priority. Speaking in practical terms, we consider legislative support for all our initiatives and projects, as discussed at the government level, to be very important. Moreover, we are also counting on the support of members of the Slovenian Parliament during the discussion of various issues with the European Union in general. I am also talking about debates inside the European Parliament.

In terms of practical aspects, this visit is taking place in a very business-like atmosphere. Our colleagues have prepared well. They have been hard at work drafting an entire package of documents which were signed today.

Our cooperation far transcends the boundaries of energy cooperation. As I see it, issues like mutual investment now top the agenda. Of course, legal support is also very important in this context because such work requires a legal framework. It is important to provide equal access to the privatisation processes at the legislative level, to guarantee the interests of potential investors.

And, of course, it is hard to overestimate the role of the parliament in establishing a moral atmosphere of cooperation. I cannot help noting the fact that Slovenia is careful about the memory of Russian soldiers killed here during various periods of European history. 

Of course, I am very happy that you remembered Boris Gryzlov’s involvement in the upcoming event linked with the chapel, whose 95^th anniversary, I think, will be celebrated. 

Generally, we have some ambitious plans. And we are counting on your support very much.