Transcript of the beginning of the meeting: 

Vladimir Putin: Mr Qaddafi, Libyan colleagues and friends,

I am happy to greet you in Moscow again. My colleagues and I remember the warm reception we had in Tripoli. We did a great deal together not only to restore the Russian-Libyan relations but also to lay a foundation for their future.

Mr Qaddafi and I have just discussed a strategic package on the development of bilateral cooperation. Now, at this expanded meeting, we will talk about ambitious joint projects and initiatives. I am certain that this visit to Moscow will give an impetus to the development of our contacts in every field: in trade, the economy, science and technology.

Muammar Qaddafi: (from interpreter's text): We would like to express our gratitude once again for the hospitality we have received in Moscow. We are continuing the process launched during your visit to Tripoli, which we regarded as a great honour.

We consider the negotiations I had with the Russian President last night and today very productive. They were not mere talks but talks between strategic partners. The development of our bilateral relations in every field has a positive influence on the international situation and so promotes the restoration of the geopolitical balance of forces in the present deficit of international peace and security. That is what we proceed from.

In this connection, we are aware of the essential importance of the duty we share: to preserve and strengthen international peace and security. As I have said, this goal will never be attained without a guaranteed geopolitical balance in the economic and security spheres. We know only too well the consequences of an absence of such balance. They are evident in economic problems, and in crises and problems in the sphere of security. We will do what we can together to promote further respect for the international law and, above all, for the United Nations Charter.

In this connection, all violations of the international law extremely worry us. I reiterate that it is crucial to respect and to strictly comply with the international law and the United Nations Charter.

I would also like to express satisfaction with the development of our bilateral relations. We proceed from the need to step up our relations-in particular, in joint activities in Africa. The past and present talks give us ample grounds for optimism in this respect.