OREANDA-NEWS. February 16, 2010. Transcript of the beginning of the meeting: Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen, It is my pleasure to welcome you to Moscow.

Russia and Greece have developed excellent friendly relations, effectively cooperating in the economy.

We hope that the government you have headed since last autumn will maintain the best traditions developed in our relations in the previous years.

You can be confident that we will try our best to give a fresh impetus to bilateral contacts, taking advantage of your current visit.

Welcome to Moscow. We are very happy to see you here.

George Papandreou (as translated): Mr Prime Minister, it is my pleasure to visit the Russian Federation.

It is true that our traditional relations have passed the test of time. We have developed very good cooperation in politics and the economy, and the partnership, which we refer to as strategic, must be filled with new content. And we must continue developing this interaction.

We adhere to the traditional policy of all previous Greek governments seeking the closest relations with the Russian Federation. I have confidence that today's negotiations will confirm this. Thank you for hospitality.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.