Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen,
I am glad to welcome you to Moscow.
Thank you for finding the time after your participation in the Yaroslavl conference to come to Moscow, and to meet with me in order to discuss practical matters
Russian-French relations are making good progress. We conduct extensive affairs in every area of politics, and we are developing our economic connections.
As you know, there is a proposal to launch a wide range of events in 2010 in connection with the Year of France in Russia and, reciprocally, the Year of Russia in France. Experts say there could be 130 cultural events alone. The idea is worth discussing today.
Welcome!
Francois Fillon (as translated): Thank you, Mr Prime Minister.
I am honoured by your invitation to meet one year after our intergovernmental seminar in Sochi.
Since our meeting in Sochi, several economic events have occurred, including a crisis that has shaken our national economies. I think the crisis has brought our countries closer together, because we must now think of how to overcome it. And that was the natural thing to discuss in Yaroslavl. We have also discussed this matter with President Dmitry Medvedev. I am glad to discuss it with you now, and to discuss the approaching Russian-French meetings, scheduled for 2010.
We have a prosperous economic partnership between our two countries. To further promote it, Russia and the European Union should reach an agreement, as the French President has proposed, for the establishment of a vast, united economic and human environment.
We need lasting, close ties in order to combat terrorism and piracy at sea, solve the problems of Afghanistan, and promote the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In other words, we need to ensure peace and stability for economic development.
I am delighted that we are meeting today, which allows us to prepare for your visit to Paris for the intergovernmental seminar in November. Will you be able to attend?
Vladimir Putin: Certainly. We attach great importance to the development of our relationship with France. It goes without saying that we are familiar with the ideas of the French President's that you have mentioned. And of course, we are doing all we can to try and support them. We will have an opportunity to discuss them more practically and in greater detail in November. But let tonight's dinner be informal.