Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor and Russian PM Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday relations between the two countries were very good and friendly, voicing mutual interest in the strengthening of economic relations, notably in energy, high technology and construction.
The two premiers met in Brdo Pri Kranju, signing a number of agreements and memorandum, including a cooperation agreement between Russia's Gazneft and Slovenia's Petrol, an agreement on the operationalisation of Slovenia's section of the South Stream project.
Slovenian-Russian trade grew 40 per cent in recent years and we will do our best to increase it even more, said Pahor.
He said he and Putin discussed the security of energy supply and that he proposed holding an international conference on energy security in October.
Slovenia sees in Russia not only a partner but also highlights the strategic importance of the European Union's partnership with Russia, said Pahor.
Putin said today's agreements confirmed Slovenia's and Russia's interest in intensifying economic cooperation.
Apart from South Stream and other economic projects tied to it, Putin stressed Russian investors' interest in the second round of the privatisation of Slovenian companies, saying he expected the Slovenian government to support their plans.
Putin said the South Stream project was not in jeopardy because of the positions Turkey voiced about it at the last meeting between the Russian and Turkish governments. He expects an agreement would be reached with Turkey on the continuation of the project and said that if Turkey opted out, Putin mentioned the possibility of turning gas into liquefied gas and delivering it from an LNG terminal on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria.
Asked about the European Commission's third energy package which does not allow one company to produce an energy source and has a distribution network, Putin said he told Brussels this solution was not good, as it put Russian companies in an unfavourable position and would increase transport prices. He expects a compromise solution to be reached with the EC.
While in Slovenia, Putin met President Danilo Tuerk and Parliament Speaker Pavel Gantar. On Wednesday he will visit Serbia.
Reporters asked him if he still felt that the Western intervention in Libya recalled the crusades and if it was true that he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had different opinions on the matter, Putin said they were very close in their estimates of the intervention in Libya.
He added that everyone should think about the civilian victims of the air raids in Libya and the fact that the Libyan conflict was essentially a civil war.
Those taking part in this tragedy should think about that, they should pray for the salvation of their souls, said Putin.
