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The discussion covered the countries’ cooperation to stabilise the global oil market and the situation in Syria.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Your Highness, dear friends, I would like to welcome you in Moscow.

I would like to start our meeting by noting that relations between our countries are making steady headway. As for economic ties, there was a certain decline but in the beginning of this year, growth already reached 130 percent.

We are maintaining contacts at the political level and between military departments. Together we are searching for ways to resolve complicated situations, for instance in Syria. Obviously, energy agreements are very important for our countries.

We are grateful to you for your ideas and assistance in cooperation of the OPEC countries with those that are not part of the cartel. Our coordinated actions make it possible to stabilise the situation on world hydrocarbon markets.

We are, of course, looking forward to the visit of the King of Saudi Arabia. I am convinced that the first visit of the King of Saudi Arabia to Russia will be a good sign, a good signal and a good impetus in the development of our interstate ties.

Please convey our best wishes to his Majesty.

Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud (retranslated): Mr President, thank you very much for this opportunity to meet. I am glad to see you in Moscow again. Let me convey to you respects on behalf of his Majesty King of Saudi Arabia.

Today relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia are going through one of the best stages. Our countries have attained mutual understanding on many issues. As for those issues on which we are divided, we have efficient mechanisms for overcoming our differences. We are moving ahead at a fast pace and the current visit will become a big achievement in consolidating relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The main point is that we are building a solid foundation for stabilising the oil market and energy prices and this is creating good opportunities for building our strategic future.

As you rightly pointed out, there are many economic cooperation programmes between Saudi Arabia and Russia, and this is bound to help us build up our cooperation in the future.

There are no points of conflict in our respective policies and we hope we will manage to steer them in the right direction in the interests of both countries. We achieved much in the previous brief stage but more work lies ahead of us.

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