Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Sidorsky,
I am happy to meet with you here in Astana during the CIS event. However, we will also soon have a more focussed discussion of our Union relations. You and I will chair a meeting of the Union State Council of Ministers.

We'll look at how our business ties are working in the face of the global financial meltdown and economic downturn. We will have a chance then to discuss in detail all problems that are challenging us.
It is also good that we meet here today, because the more contacts we have, the more opportunities there are to look at problems and explore ways of solving them.

Sergei Sidorsky: Thank you, Mr Putin, for finding time for this meeting to discuss CIS issues. I know how full your agenda is.

I would like to use this opportunity to invite you once gain to Minsk to attend the Union Government meeting on May 28. CIS heads of state are busy with preparations for the event. My deputies are putting a lot of effort in this work, and certainly keep me informed.

I know that you also keep in touch with the decisions they make. Their decisions are well-reasoned and are aimed at implementing the specific measures on the anti-crisis plan you and I have signed, so that our economies produce good results even during the recession.

You have informed the CIS heads of Government today that Russia is making good progress. We are happy about it because Russia's progress is very important for its CIS partners and certainly for Belarus. Our economies should be developing in harmony, so that we could all feel confident in the current market situation.