Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took part in a ceremony marking the completion of the first phase in the construction of the Federal Research and Clinical Centre of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology. The ceremony was also attended by German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Mr Steinmeier, ladies and gentlemen. I visited this clinic for the first time in 2005. After talking with the doctors here who deal with children's health, we decided to do everything we could to give Russian children an opportunity to receive modern medical treatment based on state-of-the-art medical technology.

The administrative process took time and construction started only nine months ago. This is the most sophisticated project for building Europe's biggest Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology.

This project is rather expensive. It is costing more than 10.5 billion roubles. It goes without saying that despite the current crisis, we will give priority to such projects. What we are doing in the Government together with Russian medical experts is natural because it is our duty.

But what makes me particularly happy is the cooperation between Russian and German experts in this discipline in the past few years. Guided by professional solidarity and humanism alone, German physicians have rendered considerable free aid to their Russian colleagues and to the children for many years.

I would like to express special gratitude to Mr Steinmeier who has given continuous political and administrative support to this project.

Some facilities have already been built, and are now being decorated and fitted with equipment. The foundations of other buildings are still being laid. But I have no doubt that we will complete this and other similar projects. We will seek new opportunities for spending our efforts and money, and for developing cooperation. This will benefit Russian children and all those who need such aid in Europe because this centre will have the capacity to be a centre of European importance.

Today, we are witnessing the completion of a single phase in the centre's construction, but I am confident that the whole project will be commissioned on schedule.

Thank you. Allow me to wish success to all of you.