OREANDA-NEWS. April 1, 2009. Vladimir Putin: Your Excellency, friends, welcome to Moscow.

I know that your visit has begun very well. Yesterday you met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. We are happy that relations between our countries have been developing successfully in the past few years. I am referring also to the intensity of political contacts, as well as trade and economic relations.

The overall volume of our trade and economic relations is growing, yet it remains rather modest in absolute figures. There are attractive venues for potential cooperation, not only in the energy sector but also in tourism, high technologies (including space exploration and nuclear power generation), and investment.

We have quite a few joint ventures, but they all operate in your country's tourism and services. We should consider ways of diversifying our relations.

In short, there are many issues to consider. We are happy to see you here, and we are confident that your visit will boost our relations. Welcome to Moscow.

Mohammed Al Maktoum (as translated): My accompanying delegation and I are happy to be in Moscow. Our relations, which are rooted in history, are essentially good. We consider this visit to be strategic by all counts. We believe that there are many opportunities for enhancing the efficiency of bilateral relations. Your Excellency, I would like to use this occasion to invite you to visit the United Arab Emirates.

As for the meetings we have had during this visit, as you have said correctly, yesterday we met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Today we had several other meetings. We also hope to discuss with you the entire range of issues of mutual interest.

Vladimir Putin: (in Arabic): Thank you.