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Vladimir Putin: I am pleased to welcome you to Moscow. I am happy to meet with you and discuss current issues.

We have just discussed with the Government our current affairs in Ukraine: energy and other issues. In our opinion the relations are making good headway. I think quite good headway. Of course, there are some current issues that need constant attention and the exchange of opinions. So we will take advantage of your stay in Moscow today.

I must say that our experts have done good work. The Governments of the four countries have worked hard all this time and have had many meetings. Initially some things were in dispute, but they managed to reach mutually acceptable solutions. I think the variant that has been chosen meets the interests of all four countries and is entirely geared to the solution of common economic problems, and I have reason to believe that we will sign it.

In our last telephone conversation you raised the “grain” issue. For your information, we worked on this issue with the Government today and yesterday, and the outlook is good. The harvest in European Russia is uncertain, just as in Ukraine. But because of large areas in the Urals and Siberia we have a good crop and all the forecasts predict that the harvest will exceed our domestic needs. So we will have a chance to fulfil the agreements we have on this issue on a larger scale than previously envisaged. As regards the commercial aspects, I think our experts will find a common language.