Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr President, colleagues, I am happy to welcome you to Moscow.

It is gratifying to note that we have restored the cooperation format between the Russian Government and the European Commission. We have held two meetings in this format, in 2004 and 2005.

European Commission members had an opportunity to work with their Russian colleagues this morning. We now have a chance to discuss in private all the problems we are facing in the course of our cooperation and those caused by the financial and economic global crisis. We interact in a number of areas, which is why we have a great deal of issues to discuss.

Once again, welcome to Moscow.

Jose Manuel Barroso: (as translated) Thank you very much. It is our pleasure to meet with you here in Moscow again.

Nine Commission members have come here, which testifies to the extensive range of our cooperation areas with Russia. This relates both to bilateral relations and various global problems which we can address together, for example, countering the global financial and economic crisis, climate change, and enhancing energy security. All this requires both parties' joint actions. In addition, new framework agreements between Russia and the European Union are now being negotiated; obviously, Commission members wish for these talks to proceed constructively and fruitfully.

Thank you again for your hospitability.