Vladimir Putin and Borut Pahor hold a news conference
Transcript:
Borut Pahor (as translated): Ladies and gentlemen and my friend, Mr Chairman. My greetings to all those present. Both Mr Putin and I will make brief opening remarks and then we will answer your questions as agreed. Our negotiations have dragged on somewhat, and so have our face-to-face talks. We apologise for that. The visit by the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Putin, is the first official visit by a Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation to Slovenia (need I say more?) and his visit deepens the economic and political cooperation between Slovenia and the Russian Federation.
During our talks and at plenary negotiations, we stressed that very friendly and smooth relations between our countries provide a good foundation for bilateral cooperation between our peoples. Most of our time, including the meeting between the two delegations, was concerned with economic cooperation, of course. We signed several agreements and memorandums, which are certain to contribute to our economic cooperation. Our current trade totals 1.2 billion euros, and this despite the recession, and thanks to the talks and treaties concluded by our presidents … As you know, I visited Moscow in 2009. Last year, President Turk (Danilo Turk is President of the Republic of Slovenia) visited and signed a memorandum concerning the Slovenian section in the Russian Federation’s so-called modernisation plan. All this, of course, has helped to increase trade by 40%. The Prime Minister and I have agreed to do everything in our power to increase trade.
The energy security of our countries received a lot of attention. Among other agreements we signed a supplement to the November 2009 agreement, which today paves the way for a joint venture to build the South Stream pipeline through Slovenia. I proposed that (due to current problems and other issues) we should call a conference in October of this year to discuss energy distribution security. We agreed that Ljubljana and Moscow would work out all the details of that plan at the conference. It will be a very important subject.
I also wish to reiterate that the Prime Minister and I discussed scientific, technological and cultural relations in addition to bilateral political and economic ones. I never want to leave cultural issues untill the end. The Russian Federation and Slovenia are two countries, two Slavic peoples, which have suggested a Forum of Slavic Cultures. We want to be proud of our origins, our Slavic background. Both Chairman Putin and I personally see many opportunities in this work. I repeated again during this current visit: we need friends. Even when we disagree on some bilateral or multilateral issues, Slovenia tries to have as many friends as possible. In Russia, it sees a very important strategic friend. We also discussed Slovenia’s contribution to European politics. Slovenia, like most European Union countries, sees Russia as a strategic partner.
We discussed other subjects, too, but time presses, and we are often told to be brief. For my part, this is all. Mr Putin, you have the floor.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you.
Mr Prime Minister. Ladies and gentlemen.
Relations of traditional friendship and mutually beneficial partnership link Russia and Slovenia. We held detailed negotiations with Mr Pahor today, expressing our satisfaction with the steady and positive course of our trade and economic relations. We are now practically back to the pre-crisis level of trade. Last year, it rose by 36%. Not only must we re-establish this level, but we also want to push vigorously forward, making active use of good opportunities for boosting trade volume.
Russia and Slovenia take part in large energy projects, which also include an all-European dimension. Mr Prime Minister has already mentioned the South Stream project. Today, shareholders of the joint venture signed an agreement to design, construct and operate the Slovenian section. I am confident that the project will bring economic benefits to all its participants and provide energy distribution security for Slovenia and other European countries. I do not think anybody needs to hear again how pressing the issue is, what with problems in nuclear power and the undoubted demand for hydrocarbon resources.
Documents on agriculture, standards and inter-regional cooperation, which were signed today, will also help to diversify Russian-Slovenian cooperation. I would like to emphasise we are interested in cross investment growth. In 50 Russian regions there are over 200 operating enterprises with Slovenian ownership. We certainly welcome our Slovenian partners’ interest in large-scale cooperation in the Russian market, above all in high-tech.
For our part, we expect our businesspeople to be active in Slovenia. Here, of course, we look to the Slovenian government’s positive treatment of the legitimate rights of Russian investors and its support for promising initiatives, including cross capitalisation and asset sharing.
Humanitarian links which help bring people together and promote mutual understanding are also important and shouldn’t be forgotten. In this context, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to say this: we know of the care which our Slovenian friends show for the memory of Russian soldiers buried in your soil. We are sincerely grateful to you for this. This year, one such memorial dating from the First World War – a Russian chapel under Pass Vrsic – is going to mark its 95th anniversary. I am confident that commemorative events surrounding this truly symbolic shrine of Russian and Slovenian brotherhood will be enjoyable and remembered.
The initiative to set up scientific and cultural centres in Russia and Slovenia holds big potential for humanitarian cooperation. A Russian centre is opening in Ljubljana very soon, and I hope will become a centre of attraction for all those interested in the history of Russia, its art and scientific achievements.
All in all, I consider my talks with my counterpart Pahor to have been successful and productive. I want to thank our Slovenian partners for their sincere willingness to boost their ties with Russia.
Thanks very much for your attention.
Question (as translated): Mr Putin, my question is about South Stream. I wonder if there is any threat to this project? We are hearing about complications with Turkey. Last week, your deputy said there might be some rethinking. Is that a serious threat or a way to influence Turkey? And where is Slovenia’s place in all this?
Thank you.
more to be posted soon...
источник новости: http://premier.gov.ru/eng/events/news/14568/
