Official website of the President of Russia

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, colleagues, I am happy to welcome you in Moscow.

I remember the warm welcome you accorded to us in your country, and I am glad to have this opportunity to continue our dialogue on regional and bilateral issues.

As you may know, our bilateral trade plummeted by 50 percent over the past few years, which is an issue of concern.

However, there is also a positive element I would like to note. The decline stopped last year, and we should use your visit to think about ways to give a positive impetus to our relations.

This year marks 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. This is a good time to review achievements in the development of our relations.

We are glad to see you. Welcome to Moscow.

President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor (retranslated): Mr President, it is the fifth time we are meeting over the past eight years. We met as prime ministers before, and now we are meeting as presidents.

Considering the complicated international situation, our regular meetings and our commitment to maintaining our relations are evidence of our willingness to continue to strengthen our friendship and cooperation.

Of course, we will also speak about economic cooperation today, but I would like to use this opportunity to speak, as the President of a country that is an EU and NATO member, about what can be done to bring about peace in Ukraine, ease hostilities and build up confidence, including between Russia and the EU as a whole.

After all, we have always acted on our promises and cultivated our good personal and bilateral relations; therefore, I hope that this meeting will help deepen mutual trust.

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