Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Berdimuhamedov, esteemed friends, and colleagues. I am very glad to see you. Good afternoon.

I know that you will talk with President Dmitry Medvedev, but I am very pleased that you found the time to drop by and discuss our current trade and economic relations. In this respect, I’d like to say that Turkmenistan is our longstanding and traditional partner in many areas of cooperation, and principally of course in the gas sector. It is pleasing to note that our trade volumes keep growing. Last year this volume grew 33%. This is a very good indicator. We are happy to see such a positive trend, but we also fully understand and see how complex the situation on the global markets is. I mean we have common interests as suppliers. It is very positive that we are in constant contact and coordinate joint efforts in this sphere. I am very glad to see you. We have not met in person for a long time. Welcome!

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: Thank you, Mr Putin. First of all, let me thank you for the invitation to pay a working visit to your wonderful country. I think that today we will have a good opportunity to discuss aspects of our cooperation in many areas, namely, what has been done, the prospects, and the future. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate you. You are a presidential candidate. I hope that you win the upcoming election.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: And ahead of the New Year, let me congratulate you, and all Russians, on this holiday, and wish everyone all the very best. Thank you.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much. Let me also wish you and Turkmenistan as a whole, all the very best for the upcoming holiday.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: Thanks.