Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Dear colleagues, esteemed Mr President, before we proceed with our meeting, I would like to note that, if I am not mistaken, in two weeks time, on the 24th of December, you will celebrate your 75th birthday. This is a major anniversary. I would like to wish you happy birthday and all the best.

Over the past several years, relations between our two countries have been developing very positively. In four years we have, I believe, tripled our trade turnover, which reached two billion dollars last year. Naturally, the volume of trade decreased somewhat due to the global economic downturn. But I am convinced that this is a temporary setback, and that the levels will rebound.

Russia has been investing in energy projects and the processing industry, but this is not enough of course, and the volumes have, thus far, been insignificant.

Therefore, we are glad to see you here, and I am certain that we will be able to consider all the opportunities available to us and outline a way forward.

Welcome!

Stjepan Mesic (as translated): Thank you very much. It is a great honour for me to be here, and I am very glad that we were able to arrange this meeting.

The relations between our two countries have been quite positive, but of course there is room for further development.

It is true that my policy has primarily focused on relations with Europe. Our goal was to pursue good neighbourly relations and cooperation with Europe, but naturally, we also maintain ties with countries outside the European region.

Russia is a great world power, and we are privileged to cooperate with it.

Croatia is well positioned to facilitate cooperation with other countries in our region. We have put the conflict in the region behind us and are ready to pursue foreign cooperation.

We believe that cooperation is possible and we believe in individual responsibility, in liberating people from the weight of collective responsibility. This opens up new opportunities for meaningful cooperation.

It is extremely unfortunate that our economic relations have failed to live up to their full potential.

Russia has a lot to offer, and is certainly very important to us.