Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Mirko Cvetkovic, Prime Minister of Serbia (as translated): Esteemed ministers, members of the Russian delegation, welcome to Serbia! I would like to thank you on behalf of the entire country for coming to Serbia. This affirms that our nations have a strong friendship. I believe that this visit will strengthen our political ties and improve our economic relations. Cooperation between Serbia and Russia is developing very well. It is based on a strong legal framework, on numerous agreements. Through this visit, we hope to take another step forward and find new areas of cooperation. Mr Prime Minister, please.

Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to once again thank you for a constructive start to our meeting. I have already raised many issues on our agenda with the Serbian president at a limited-attendance meeting, in which some of you participated. We are happy to have an opportunity to discuss our cooperation with our Serbian colleagues at this expanded meeting. To begin with, I am very satisfied with the progress we have made in priority areas, in particular energy, transport, ecology and science. I suggest we begin discussion now. I’d like to pass the floor to our partners.