OREANDA-NEWS. March 03, 2010. Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:   Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon Ms Prime Minister and colleagues. We are very happy to welcome you to Russia.

I remember our last meeting in Gdansk. I am very happy to note that Russian-Croatian relations are developing successfully. In the past few years, Russia has become the third largest importer of Croatian products after Germany and Italy.

Unfortunately, bilateral trade volume declined considerably last year due to the crisis. This is why you have chosen the best possible time for your visit. We will discuss what should be done in order to restore this level and to move on.

Three documents in the humanitarian and economic spheres have been prepared for signing.

I am very happy to note the increasing number of Russian tourists visiting Croatia. Naturally, this is facilitated by the fact that Russian tourists can travel to Croatia visa-free in summer.

We are very happy to see you. Once again, welcome.

Jadranka Kosor (as translated): Mr Prime Minister. I would like to greet you and all your colleagues. I am very happy to have this opportunity to come here and to stay in Moscow now that we have agreed to meet and sign these documents to the mutual benefit of our countries.

I am confident that these areas will expand and that effective cooperation will increase based on the economic cooperation agreement, the tourism agreement and the energy agreement, due to be signed by us today. The government of the Republic of Croatia is convinced that there remain many opportunities for cooperation between our countries.

Nevertheless, I believe that our politically-based meetings will help expand bilateral cooperation and will also provide the Republic of Croatia with an impetus for joining the European Union and for cooperating with neighbouring countries.

I can assure you that the Republic of Croatia, which will soon become the 28th member of the European Union, will render complete support to the Russian Federation in its cooperation with the numerous EU members.

I personally would like to thank you for your hospitality and for meeting with me here. I am happy to be able to confirm that both of us have managed to implement the agreements we reached in Gdansk.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.