Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,

The prime minister of Qatar and I just held very extensive talks. This is not the first time we've meet, and I can say that our relationship is very professional and friendly.

Today we discussed almost all the issues on our bilateral agenda, including pressing regional and international problems. We also focused on ways to expand our trade and the economic ties.

We are of the same opinion: Russia and Qatar have sufficient resources to step up cooperation, and there is a lot we can do. Last year trade between our countries declined due to the recession, but as I said, there is a lot we can do to improve the situation.

Closer cooperation in global markets and joint efforts in energy markets are in the interests of both our countries, especially with respect to the gas industry. As two of the world's largest producers of hydrocarbons, Russia and Qatar are natural partners.

As you know, gas producers joined together to form the Gas Exporting Countries Forum not long ago. Its headquarters are located in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Russia plays an active role in the forum. Its secretary general is a Russian.

The forum is still in the initial stages. We would like to turn it into an effective tool for coordinating our actions on the world gas market. Everyone - producers, consumers and transit countries - stands to gain from this.

We intend to cooperate extensively with our Qatar friends in other multilateral forums as well. Russia is prepared to expand its dialogue with the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and our partners have expressed interest in this as well. Therefore, our common goal now is to transform this goodwill into concrete projects.

I'm convinced that we must not stake our business ties on traditional spheres alone, but also on advanced, breakthrough technologies that are setting the pace in today's global economy.

The world is well aware of Russia's serious technological potential. We have discussed this today in detail. Our leading companies, Gazprom and Stroytransgaz, and our manufacturers of aviation equipment are interested in partnering with Qatar. We have agreed today to step up cooperation in the areas I mentioned.

We have also set up the Russia-Qatar Business Council, which I believe will help improve our trade and economic ties.

We have also spoken about the possibility of establishing an intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. We will support initiatives like the Arabia EXPO that will allow our market participants to learn more about opportunities in both countries.

Of course, we also discussed cooperation in the banking sector and - an area of particular interest in my opinion - investment. We have agreed that Russian specialists will draft relevant proposals for our Qatar friends.

Let me add that large Russian companies are also interested in investing in major projects in Qatar.

I'd like to than you, Mr Prime Minister, and all our friends from Qatar for today's interesting and meaningful work. Thank you very much.

Hamad bin Jassim: Thank you, Mr Prime Minister. I appreciate this meeting with you and this opportunity to meet as friends and discuss everything.

Relations between Qatar and Russia are rapidly improving. Our Emir said that I must build a special relationship with Russia, and that is why we have come to Russia. We want to step up cooperation in all the areas that the prime minister has just mentioned - gas, oil, finance and trade.

We have agreed that two Qatar companies will be sent here in April to look into these issues. A Russian delegation will come to Doha to look into opportunities in the gas industry.

This was indeed a very fruitful and friendly visit. We have discovered many ways to improve relations going forward. We should continue visiting each other this frequently and try to take some concrete steps in joint projects.

I'd like to thank you, Mr Prime Minister, for your hospitality and for the very open discussions today.