Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Esteemed Berdimuhamedov, esteemed colleagues, we are glad to greet you in Moscow.

I remember the warm reception we had in Ashgabat and the hospitality I saw at your residence. Our friendly ties are giving start to economic partnership.

Our bilateral trade is approaching one billion dollars-$930 million, to be precise, to say nothing of gas partnership. The Russian-Turkmen trade turnover has increased by 18% in the past two months alone, despite the global economic crisis. I think it is an impressive increase.

The President and Government of Turkmenistan are paying great attention to the development of Russian-Turkmen relations. I am grateful for that.

Energy is one of the pivotal fields of our partnership. I know that during the negotiations with President Dmitry Medvedev today you signed a joint declaration and discussed the various aspects of our contacts. I want to carry on the discussion in a businesslike atmosphere.

We cherish our relations with Turkmenistan in every field, especially trade and the economy.

I want to welcome you to Moscow once again, and say we are glad to see you.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: Thank you, Mr Putin. We are also glad to see you. Thank you for this meeting. We are having a very hospitable reception.

We have had an excellent summit and signed a large package of agreements. There is no field in which Turkmenistan has no links with Russia. We are partners in the oil and gas complex, construction, agriculture-everything.

The Intergovernmental Commission is working very well, and I want to thank you for that especially. They have done a great deal, and their decisions are being implemented.

The potential of our partnership is even greater; there are considerable reserves, and we will use all those opportunities for the sake of the Russian and Turkmen nations.

The economic forums and exhibition of yesterday and two days ago testified to the excellent work of the Intergovernmental Commission. Turkmenistan had hosted similar events. We will make further progress in that field.

We have done a good job on social matters today, with emphasis on education. Security and stability have were also prominent on the agenda, and a law enforcement package has been signed.

I thank you once again for the opportunity of active work you are granting the Intergovernmental Commission. We will carry on the present pace of the work. Thank you.