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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank Prince Albert II of Monaco in your presence, not only for his visit, but also for giving our public the opportunity to view this wonderful collection of Olympic torches.

We talked today about developing our bilateral relations. Russia has become a full member of the Mediterranean Science Commission, whose work includes the study of the Black Sea. We agreed to continue our cultural contacts, and at Prince Albert’s suggestion we will think about organising a festival of Russian culture in Monaco.

Naturally we are grateful to our guest for his continued support of our efforts to develop the Olympic movement and Russia’s participation in it, and appreciate his endorsement of Sochi’s Olympic bid.

Your Highness, I would like to present you with one more souvenir: a torch that will be used during the 2014 Sochi Olympics. I am sure that it will make an excellent addition to your collection, because I think it is the best one I have ever seen.

Prince Albert II of Monaco (re-translated): Mr President,

Thank you so much for this gesture, this great gift, this wonderful torch, which I’m sure will find a special place in my collection.

Mr President, you mentioned the topics we discussed during our formal talks today at an official lunch. I want to say once more on my behalf and on behalf of my delegation that I am very happy to be here today on an official visit. I am eternally grateful to you for your hospitality and for all the friendly gestures you have made in our regard.

As President of the Mediterranean Science Commission I am very pleased to welcome Russia as a full member of this Commission. I am sure that Russian scientists can make a huge contribution to its work, and in general I think that cooperation between scientists from different countries, especially in the Mediterranean region, can truly benefit us.

Today we discussed economic, scientific and cultural issues, and even sports, which are particularly important in this location. We have excellent prospects for cooperation on all of these issues, and many exciting projects. I am very grateful to you, because all these contacts help us strengthen relations between our countries, which have always been characterised by warmth and friendship. I am very pleased that we were able to have a fruitful exchange, and I want to thank you again for that.

If you will allow me, Mr President, I would like to hoist the torch to its proper place and thus complete the exhibition.