“I am confident that we will commemorate Victory Day honourably. We will pay due respects to those who perished in battle, and grant moral and material support to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War. It is our sacred duty,” said Prime Minister Putin.
“Today we have certainly discussed our ambitious joint projects, —in particular, the South Stream gas pipeline and the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The fact, that these two projects are crucial to Russia, Turkey and the whole of Europe both in terms of finding a solution to environmental problems, and in terms of ensuring reliable energy supplies to Europe, is, I think, indisputable.”
“This is my fifth visit to India, and with each visit I become more convinced that relations between our nations are unique. I do not think Mr Manmohan Singh and I would have attained the present level of mutual trust, understanding and cooperation without the compassionate, friendly relations between the Indian and Russian peoples,” said the Russian Prime Minister, summarising his visit to India.
Russia considers Croatia to be its important and reliable partner in the Balkans and in Europe as a whole, Mr Putin said, adding that the talks had been highly successful. In turn, Ms Kosor said that they had discussed economic, energy and cultural cooperation, as well as the current and future dialogue on the South Stream.
“The time when I worked with Mr Sobchak was the most valuable part of my education. It was in that period that my basic principles of work and communication took shape. The fundamentals of my personal principles and behaviour probably began to develop much earlier, at home and later at the university, where I studied and he taught. However, my work with him had tremendous practical significance for me.”
The Russian prime minister does not think that energy use will change during the next 15-20 years, despite the rapid development of alternative energy. Hydrocarbons will not be replaced by other energy sources in the next 15-25 years.
“Today we have certainly discussed our ambitious joint projects, —in particular, the South Stream gas pipeline and the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The fact, that these two projects are crucial to Russia, Turkey and the whole of Europe both in terms of finding a solution to environmental problems, and in terms of ensuring reliable energy supplies to Europe, is, I think, indisputable.”
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has wished the Russian people a Happy New Year in a Channel One interview.
“It is indicative that bilateral trade continues to grow even despite the global economic and financial crisis. This year we will surpass the $1.5 billion mark.”
