Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Rutte, esteemed colleagues.

I’m very pleased to welcome you here. Until now, we have only had the opportunity to communicate by phone. We spoke at one point when difficulties arose with the supply of agricultural produce to Russia. As I recall, the problem was successfully resolved then.

The Netherlands is one of our leading trade and economic partners, with our bilateral trade currently standing at $58.4 billion. That is a quite decent turnover, and it has grown by another 15% this year. It has actually bounced back to its pre-crisis levels.

Investments are also growing, including direct investments. As we understand it, some of these investments consist of Russian funds that were brought to the Netherlands at some point and are now returning to their country of origin. Well, the important thing is that the money comes back to Russia.

I know that your schedule is very full while you are here. You plan to visit St Petersburg as well, don’t you?

Mark Rutte (speaking via interpreter): And you’ve just returned from St Petersburg.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, I laid the groundwork for you there. I understand that you are going to deliver a speech at my alma mater, St Petersburg University. I’m sure your trip will be exciting and fulfilling.

Mark Rutte: Thank you very much for your warm welcome. I agree that trade relations between our two countries have gained momentum. I hope that during our meeting today, we will be able to address a number of issues of mutual concern. People in the Netherlands are closely following the reforms that are underway here, in Russia, to modernise the national economy. I hope that we, too, will be able to contribute to Russia’s further modernisation, making the most of the high level of our bilateral relations, in trade and elsewhere.

Mr Balkenende, my predecessor, asked me to send you his best wishes. I hear that you got along very well together.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, he is a very pleasant person and an industrious statesman.

Mark Rutte: Indeed, and he cares a great deal about maintaining the contacts that were established during his tenure as prime minister.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.