Transcript of the beginning of the talks:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, our Bulgarian friends and colleagues,

We are very glad to welcome you to Moscow again. Yesterday we began our joint work, and opened an exhibition dedicated to Bulgaria here in Russia. I am very happy to have an opportunity to continue our talks. At the beginning of our conversation, I would like to emphasize that this year has special significance for our bilateral relations. This year marks the 130th anniversary of the Tyrnovo Constitution, and of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.

I am pleased to note that our relations are making steady headway. Trade is growing despite problems arising from the economic crisis. True, negative trends are bound to have emerged in trade in the last few months, but during the last year it reached a record figure of over five billion dollars.

Russia and Bulgaria are important trade and economic partners for each other. We are glad to have an opportunity to discuss all aspects of our cooperation, to analyse what we have done in recent times, and to map out prospects for the future. Once again, we welcome you here.

Sergei Stanishev (as translated): Thank you, Mr Prime Minister for your kind words on our relations.

During the talks we will aim to analyse all that we have achieved in the last few years, and outline new tasks and prospects.

As you have already mentioned, this past year has been of special importance for our bilateral relations. Last year, we celebrated the 130th anniversary of Bulgaria's liberation, and held the Year of Russia in Bulgaria. The Year of Bulgaria in Russia is being held this year. These events will promote our cultural and economic cooperation.

I consider it very important that we have managed to give a new impetus to trade between Bulgaria and Russia.

Owing to the adopted measures, Bulgaria considerably increased its exports to Russia in 2007-2008. In 2007, trade almost doubled, and in 2008 went up by another 50%.

Russia is increasing its investment in the Bulgarian economy, and the flow of Russian tourists to Bulgaria is on the upsurge.

I hope that today we will discuss issues linked with the strategic projects that we are planning to carry out. Last year, we signed agreements on such projects, namely, the South Stream, the second unit of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant, and the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline. We consider these projects to be of great importance for us.

So, we'll have a lot of issued to discuss.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister.