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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Shmakov, you won’t be telling me everything that has happened over the past thirty years?

Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia Mikhail Shmakov: No. I just want to say that we are approaching the congress.

We have another milestone date: the 30^th anniversary of the turning point, 1993. It turns out that I have been heading our organisation for 30 years.

Vladimir Putin: I would like to say that over these years of, one might say, joint work, you are still often an inconvenient partner for the Government.

Mikhail Shmakov: Still.

Vladimir Putin: However, in general, you address social issues from the state’s perspective, but, of course, first of all, based on the interests of workers, whose interests you must protect by law and by the very purpose of trade unions. But in general, the government approach is very important. I hope that this will continue to be the case in the activities of trade unions.

Mikhail Shmakov: Mr President, the interests of the state and the interests of workers generally coincide.

Vladimir Putin: I agree.

Mikhail Shmakov: We are arguing about details.

Vladimir Putin: Exactly. Ok, let us have a more detailed discussion.

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